Oil painting on wooden panel of a lady, possibly a courtesan, in her bloomers and corset, by Pierre Duval le Camus (French, 1790-1854). Signed to lower right. Label to verso "Maskenprobe (test mask, mask [make up] sample [or dress rehearsal])". Purchased in France in the 90's. Board measures 10-3/8" (26.5cm) H x 6-1/8" (15.5cm) W. Frame measures 17" (43cm) H x 12-1/2" (32cm) W x 2-1/2" D. Biography: Pierre Duval Le Camus was born in Lisieux, France to a master glazier who sent him to Paris to study business. Le Camus sought out artistic training instead, studying under Pierre-Claude Gautherot and eventually under Jacques Louis David. After being sought out for the portrait of a prominent judge in 1811, Le Camus began a career of lucrative commissions for Parisian high society. He split his time between genre works and these portraits of prominent individuals. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1819 to 1853, founded the Museum of Art and History of Lisieux in 1837, became a Knight of the Legion of Honor, and served as mayor of the town of Saint-Cloud from 1853 to 1854, where he died. Source: Emmanuelle le Bail and Jessica Volet, Catalogue de l'exposition Les Duval Le Camus, Peintres de Pere en Fils, Musee des Avelines, 2010.