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Portraits of married couples
Oval pastels (pair)
Both signed on the right: Montjoye / pinxit /1793
62.5 × 51 cm (each) – 24 5/8 × 20 1/16 in (each)
Sold in gilded, moulded oak frames of the Louis XVI period, with an applied leaf frieze.
Probablement Salon de 1793 sous le n°517 “plusieurs portraits sous le même numéro. Par Montjoie."
‘The paintings (…) display everything that a portrait painter is capable of achieving. The title of “pupil of M. de la Tour”, under which he takes pride in presenting himself, is a favourable impression that many of his works have not disproved in numerous respects. His pastels often possess a firmness. In general, all his portraits, which are said to be lifelike [sic], are executed with care. The facial features are well captured; and there is great realism in the fabrics and other details. One can only regret that the artist has not had the opportunity to perfect his talent; but this talent, as it stands, combined with considerable practice, can and must earn Mr de Montjoie the trust of many people.”
“Correspondences”, in Nouvelles de la république des lettres et des arts, 1787