DESCRIPTION: Large 19th century portrait painting. Oil on canvas. A portrait with similarities to portraits by Louise Vigee-Le Brun, French 1775-1842. We feel that the painting is probably Italian and from the 19th century. It is not one of the many painted copies of famous Vigee-Le Brun paintings. However, it has characteristics of her self portraits and her "Daughter's Portrait", Parma National Gallery (Parma Italy): Similarities include skyward gaze and facial rendering, ivy leaf crown, clouds-at-dusk background, clear-stone & gold dangle earrings, and notably, teeth showing. Vigee-Le Brun frequently showed teeth in her portraiture which was considered scandalous and was very rare in any portraits before the early 1900's. The ivy leaf crown, originally from Greek mythology, was later a symbol of love in Christianity and can be wedding related. The clothing appears to be religious or ceremonial but is undetermined. The painting is extremely well painted in our opinion and, while lovely on it's own merit, could be quite rewarding to a buyer that can identify the artist. MEASUREMENTS: 48" high x 36" wide; frame: 8-1/2" wide. CONDITION: Painting is lined and there are minor in-painting repairs detected. Tape residue at painting edge. Craquelure throughout. MEG