Francesco Emanuele Scotto

Lady, Writing on a Bark

A sitting young lady is about to write with a brush on the bark of a tree on which the letters "ANGELICA E M" can be deciphered. It is left open whether this shall be an allusion to a music drama called "Angelica e Medoro", which was especially popular at that time, or whether it is a love message in which the girl connects her own name with the one of the addressee of the miniature. The lady is dressed according to the fashion of the late 17th century, when, owing to the revolution, clothing became much more natural and casual. Her dress, made of light white fabric, with a plunging neckline which discloses her shoulder; her scarf, worn over her dress, replacing a coat; her curled and powdered hair - all these aspects of her way of clothing are typical of the Empire fashion. The lady`s naturalness and casualness are taken up by the background, which is designed with luxuriant bushes and trees. The glazing apply of colour and the exact, extremely delicate brush strokes are characteristic features of the Italian miniaturists.

¹ Karl Heinrich Graun (1704-1759), Angelica e Medoro. Dramma per musica da rappresentarsi in Firenze nel Regio Teatro degli intrepedi detto della palla a corda nella primavera dell'anno 1792.