Ubekendt dame i hvid kjole med blåt shawl 1782 - 1851

Louis-Francois Aubry likely made this miniature portrait, “Unknown lady in white dress with blue shawl,” using watercolor on ivory, with a metal surround. The fineness of Aubry’s brushwork gives the sitter an almost photographic clarity. But look closer at the metalwork. The delicate filigree work wasn’t made by Aubry himself; it’s more likely that it was created by a specialist jeweler, who probably worked in a highly subdivided workshop system. It is important to note that precious metals like gold and silver were recycled and reworked, rather than being extracted from the earth. The portrait would have been made to be worn, perhaps as a locket. Its creation depended on a wide range of skills, from the artist’s mastery of watercolor to the metalworker's deft hand, all supported by a consumer culture eager for personalized keepsakes. Considering these factors gives us a more grounded understanding of its cultural significance.