Prince Albert Casimir August of Saxony,
Duke of Teschen
by Felicie (de Watteville) Varlet,
on porcelain, after Isabey,
signed, circa 1820.

This is a rare and technically superb example of de Watteville's early work on porcelain.

Albert de Saxe-Teschen (1738-1822): Prince Albert Casimir August of Saxony, Duke of Teschen (1738 1822) was a celebrated German art collector who married into the Habsburg imperial family. He founded the Albertina in Vienna, repository of one of the largest and finest collection of old master prints and drawings in the world.

Set in the original frame by Alphonse Giroux et Cie, ebonized wood with a patterned gilt metal mount, trade label remaining on the reverse. The miniature is signed on the right lower edge, Felicie V.

4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm) high.

Felicie (de Watteville) Varlet (c.1795-1837), a much acclaimed miniaturist, was born Renee Felicie Varlet de Gibecourt, at Lille. In 1820 she married Adolphe de Watteville (1799-1867). The majority of her miniatures are on ivory and signed "Felicie de Watteville".

See: Keil, Die Miniaturen der Albertina in Wien, page 63, plate 79, for the original 1812 watercolor by Isabey, in the collection of the Albertina.

sold

printable page