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This is an outstandingly detailed cut & paste silhouette with a previously unrecorded embossed signature stamp of Charles Samuel Hervé II.  The great embellished detail in this young girl holding a fan well represents Hervé's ability as both a portrait miniature painter and a silhouette artist.  There is no mistaking this lovely profile for anyone other than Hervé's work.  As he did so often, Hervé  cut this silhouette from darkened paper and embellished with dove grey watercolor.  The silhouette is placed on a rough painted ground with the sitter's shadow and the image of foliage in the far background. The details of the young girl's high bonnet with ribbon, her tiered neckline, flounced skirt, lace pantaloons, shoes that lace up her ankle, and fan with the ruffled edge make this an exquisite addition to any silhouette collection.  Hervé and his nephew Alfred Hervé both used stenciled signatures and addresses.  I have been unable to find any recording of this interesting embossed signature (which must be assumed to be the elder Charles because the younger Alfred would have used "A. Hervé" out of respect for the elder uncle with whom he worked).  The address is painted or penned -- all recorded silhouettes either had stenciled address or addresses printed on trade labels.  145 Strand is an address that is known to have been used simultaneously by Charles and Alfred.  What a rare and great addition to your collection!  The background paper has been laid onto card of which the verso bears 19th century printed material (see photo below).  I spent a lot of time inspecting this piece to determine whether the verso of the printed card had been painted and used by Hervé, himself....it appeared as though it was original.  However, I finally found a barely visible tear in the background paper starting at the bottom edge about 1 inch from the right corner and extending about 3/4 inch upward in a diagonal fashion.  The silhouette was no doubt laid onto the card to repair this tear.  It was certainly a well-done repair as I had the hardest time finding it.  Housed in a stunning gold leaf frame that measures 9 1/2" x 11".  The sight size is 5 1/4" x 7".

(#4350)      Sold

Please see the Silhouettist Biographies page for more information about Hervé.

Verso of card on which silhouette paper is laid.