Early 19th century French miniature

Early 19th century French miniature.
"Neoclassical lady.
Gouache on vellum. Leather case.
Size: 6,7 x 5,8 cm; 8,7 x 7,7 cm (frame).
A robed lady picks apples from a tree. Her dynamic posture and pearly skin remind us of a sculptural effigy.
Miniature portraits developed in Europe from the 16th century onwards. They consisted of small paintings embedded in objects such as medallions, table clocks or small boxes. The frame of these portraits was usually oval or circular. They were executed in a wide variety of techniques, such as oil on copper, pewter or ivory, gouaches on parchment or cardboard and, from the 18th century, watercolour on ivory. This delicate art was gradually lost from the second half of the 19th century, in parallel with the development of photography.