Henri Gascar and Studio (French 1635 - 1701)Portrait of a lady and gentleman in the guise of Venus and Adonis, in a palace gardenOil on canvas, oval100.5 x 120.5cm (39½ x 47¼ in.)Provenance: Probably Marquis d'HavrincourtCollection of Comte G. de CardevacPrivate Collection, Neuilly, FranceRouillac, Chateau de Cheverny, 6 June 1999, lot 17Sale, Bonhams, The Walid Juffali Collection at Bishopsgate House, 26 March 2018, lot 95Private collection, WindsorHenri Gascar (1635-1701) was a French born painter working in England during the reign of Charles II and is perhaps best known for his portrait paintings of the leading ladies of court, including several mistresses to the King. Indeed, it is most likely one of the King's mistresses, Louise de Keroualle, the Duchess of Portsmouth, which brought Gascar from Rome, where he had been working since 1659, to England in 1674. With the Duchess' patronage, Gascar coupled with his flamboyant style which suited the frivolity of Charles II's court quickly became a success.As with the present lot, Gascar's works are instantly recognisable by their bright colour palette and attention to the decorative details such as the fabric and jewels worn by his sitters as well as the elaborate background settings. This was often at the expense of accurate drawing or likeness, however this appears to have been forgiven at a time when French taste appeared to triumph over the stoic English style which had prevailed with the likes of Peter Lely and his contemporaries before.By 1680 however, the anti-French and anti-Catholic mood was growing and Gascar left England for Paris. On his return, the artist was elected a member of the Academie Royale. A year later, Gascar settled in Rome where he enjoyed a good career until his death in 1701. Medium Oil on canvas, oval