Two caricature portraits. Pastel on paper. France, 18th century.

Overall 47 x 39 cm - The pastels each 40.5 x 32 cm

These two charming portraits appear to be caricatures of the characters portrayed, while remaining playfully respectful of the noblewomen depicted.

Behind one of the two portraits, a writing written in faded ink seems to indicate that the subjects portrayed are Maria Teresa of Savoy, Countess of Artois (1756-1805) and Anna Maria of Savoy (1757-1824).

At the end of the 18th century, in the midst of the Grand Tour era, the caricature genre developed, mainly driven by the spread of newspapers, which often used the genre to heighten their articles.

Our two portraits seem to follow the genre that, to make people smile, disproportionates physical features, such as eyes enlarged to an unbelievable extent or wigs that have become truly cumbersome and funny.