Antique French Napoleon Era Portrait Miniature in 18k Gold Locket Frame, ID'd Artist: Julie BOILY, c.1810

Artist signed: J. Boily (active 1810-1826) Lyon, France. A superb Napoleon era portrait miniature of a beautiful woman, her gown and jewelry and the outdoor setting combine to a thrilling museum quality portrait. Youth and beauty, a palpable natural sensuality (and a visible nipple, so also a 'naughty' category), she wears the red sash/cape that tells us she was likely a Royalist who lost someone to the guillotine, during "The Terror", late 1700s. She wears the hairstyle and Empire gown popular in the Greecian/Roman Revival French Empire. Her bracelet looks to be a portrait miniature with woven hair, perhaps also telling the story of her loss - a parent or grandparent? The mysterious little country house in distance has meaning, too, but we can't begin to know that story.  All in all, a superb composition and exceptionally fine miniature. Well worthy of the 18k gold hinged locket style oyster frame (wider in center, tapers to outer edges). Gold marks in tiny punch on the bale but the e