Jean-Baptiste Greuze (Tournus 1725-1805 Paris)

The attribution to Greuze was initially accepted only tentatively by Edgar Munhall judging from photographs in 1977 (written communication). He found the handling more analogous with the artist's early style, thus calling in to question the inscription on the reverse that effectively dates the present work to 1772. However, after subsequent inspection of the original, he accepted both the attribution and the later dating without reservation. The identity of the sitter and her unusual costume remain mysterious.