Featured Amazing Portrait of a prominent woman

I have unearthed another treasure, this time it is of a lovely young woman sitting for a portrait, clearly she is someone of import since both her hands are painted and the background is red. I am wondering several things here, age, is the frame an original, and who is the sitting subject. As always thank you for your help, it all helps keep me from being taken advantage when I sell them at auction.

This painting (canvas only) measures 34" x 45" the sheet music she is reading intrigues me as well.

 

Additional photos.

 

Another clue may be the painting in the background. A tall ship with at least two masts of square sails.
https://networks.h-net.org/ship-types-18th-and-19th-centuries

She may be related to a merchant or naval officer?

 

Oddly she isn't wearing jewelry.

 

finally, an artist who can do hands !!!
your best find so far !

Sell this one last...so u can keep it the longest !!!

( and thank you for the detailed description and photo's...).

 

even with that wise look....she may be younger than she looks...

 

how can an accomplished artist paint that and not sign it????????

 

Thank you for the proper posting guidance

 

I am learning that many prominent artists had their signatures painted over in order to export them from country to country and avoid export import taxes, then later "clean off" the over paint. I have no clue if this has occurred on any of my paintings but I do have to agree that it is odd such a fantastic painting has no signature. Then again Some of the greatest didn't either (Davinci)

 

That was my initial thought as well, but then again naval officers were held with respect but not generally as the same as the Royal Court, so to commission a painting like this may not be in that pay grade unless she is the daughter of the admiral or something The music intrigues me a bunch though

 

I didn't know this about the hands and painting. Cool fact!

Very nice portrait.

 

I'm pleased to be able to identify this one for you. It's a copy of Maurice-Quentin de La Tour's 'Portrait of the Marquise de Pompadour.' Here is the original:

Debora

 

Well done, Debora...Bravo!

 

Awesome!

 

well, now I'm starting to wonder if these paintings were wrapped up and stored away for 100 years.......for a reason!

 

Grand tour souvenir? If it's a copy of Mme Pompadour that would be likely. I wouldn't be surprised if not just reading music, our girl wrote what she's holding.

 

Bravo! Thank you!

 

It's amazing that a beautiful painting like mine that looks incredible, is knocked down several pegs when compared to the original lol. Now the task is to determine if this was Circle of or School of La Tour....hmmmmm

 

It is very likely, I am less surprised that these are after masters but am equally impressed that they are very old and amazing renditions.

 

The original is pastel - crayon on paper.