French School Artist, Gallant Party in the Park, Oil Painting, Mid-1700s, Framed

Oil on panel. French school. Mid-18th century.The scene depicts a party within a park enclosed by walls with arched gateways opening onto the countryside, and adorned on the right with an amphora on a small column and in the center, behind the figures, with a gushing fountain, with statues of putti and shells. Two couples of richly dressed ladies and gentlemen are gallantly entertained, surrounded by servants; one of the men is playing the violin, crouching in front of his lady, who, flanked by the damsel, follows the melody on the score held up by the dark-haired man at her side, while two musicians accompany the playing with flute and a mandolin; the other couple, in an attitude of intimate dialogue, listens on the left, while on the right the hunter returning from hunting also observes the scene. The painting is presented in a styled frame.