Mignard, Pierre (called Mignard le Romain, Troyes 1612 – Paris 1695). Maria Mancini. Half-length portrait of the first mistress of Louis XIV, niece of Cardinal Mazarin and aunt of Prince Eugene. The dress drawn from the shoulders and covering only half of the breast anymore. Steel engraving by Albert Henry Payne (London 1812 – Leipsic 1902). 3^rd quarter of the 19^th century. Inscribed: Museum in Berlin. / P. Mignard pinx^t. / A. H. Payne sc., otherwise as above. 16 x 11.4 cm.

“ … in 1636 (Mignard) went to Rome where he … stayed for 20 years … Already in Rome he achieved great esteem as portrait and Madonna painter … Since 1658 in Paris and Fontainebleau where he painted Louis XIV, the queen mother (who appointed him court painter) and Mazarin … 1690 (as successor of Le Brun) premier peintre du Roy, director and chancellor of the Acad. Roy., director of the gobelins and the Roy. Picture Gallery ”

(Thieme-Becker XXIV, 546 f.).
Offer no. 14,870 / EUR  65. (c. US$ 95.) + shipping

“ … I was digging and I found you. I needed to tell you that your collection for whatever reason has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you … I’m not a collector, or I haven’t known myself to be … I was going to sell this (sheet), but I just may have discovered that I’m to keep this for whatever reason. Have you made a collector out of me … For all your devotion, hardwork … I thank you ”

(Mrs. D. H., June 17, 2002)