Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger (1729-1799)
Louise Bourdon (fl.1785 - d.1812)
Category
Art / Miniatures
Date
circa 1790
Materials
Waterolour on vellum or ivory
Measurements
76 x 64 mm
Order this imageCollection
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
NT 515798
Summary
Portrait miniature, watercolour on vellum or ivory, Niklaus Friedrich von Steiger (1729-1799) by Louise Bourdon (fl.1785-d.1812). c.1790. Oval. Half-length portrait, turned slightly to the right, head turned to left, gazing to the left, wearing a black robe, white tabs, orange ribbon and star of …… Grey eyes, white powdered wig, pale complexion, cadaverous face. Plain grey background. Magistrate of the Bernese Republic. No.17 in Guide 'A large oval miniature of extremely fine work of Swiss statesman and chief magistrate of the canton of Bern, and the most prominent political figure during the last years of the old Swiss Confederation. Born in Berne, Switzerland, of a Bernese patrician family, the son of Niklaus Sigmund von Steiger (1702-1743) and Elizabeth Henriette Vulliermin de Monaz. Most probably done by a Swiss artist. A miniature of great merit. Artist unknown'.
Provenance
Bequeathed to the National Trust by Huttleston Rogers Broughton, 1st Lord Fairhaven (1896-1966) with the house and the rest of the contents.
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: Inscribed on vellum backing: 32 / Nichas Fredch / Baron de Steigne / Advoyer / of the City & Repub. / of Berne / Obt 3 Decr 1799 / Æt 68 Verso: At the bottom is a circular paper label inscribed: 17
Makers and roles
Louise Bourdon (fl.1785 - d.1812), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Jean-Baptiste Weyler (Strasbourg 1747 – Paris 1791), artist