Augustin de Saint-Aubin (Paris 1736-1807)

An allegorical portrait of Louise-Nicole Godeau, the artist's wife, as the muse of Painting, this composition was engraved in reverse under the title L'Hommage réciproque and paired with a portrait of a man as a sculptor (ibid., p. 12, no. 1). Caught in profile, graciously seated, the woman is holding a pencil case, while looking at her beloved portrayed on the canvas.