Portrait

This bust portrait, presented in an oval-shaped aperture frame, depicts Virginie-Justine Vinet. However, it could also be Marie-Josephte Panneton (or Joséphine, according to some registers). Virginie-Justine is shown looking to her left, her face chubby and slightly wrinkled, her hair black, under an elaborate white tulle headdress with curly mauve ribbons that fall to her shoulders. Her black dress is fastened with a spiked collar of white lace, to the center of which is attached an oval medallion. In the center of the medallion is a standing woman, hands clasped, wearing a dress and veil, with a sword at her feet. This could be Saint Ursula, whose attributes include sword (or arrow) and palm, or Saint Margaret, who is usually depicted with the cross and trampling a dragon with her foot. However, the attributes represented in this painting are difficult to discern and have yet to be identified to confirm their iconography. A long, dark-colored cord is worn as a pendant, on which we can guess a medallion or brooch.