FRANCOIS JOSEPH KINSON
(Bruges 1770 – 1839)

Portraits of the sisters Adèle and Aglaè Auguiè 
1801-1802
Oil on canvas, 28.34 x 23.22 in
Signed

Excerpt of the expertise by doc. Francesco Leone

This pendant of portraits was painted in the happiest moment of the artistic career of the painter François-Joseph Kinson, whose activity was closely linked to the Bonaparte family. The two paintings depict the sisters Adèle and Aglaé Auguié, whose father Pierre-César Auguié was a very powerful figure in Paris during the reign of Louis XVI. He held positions as head of ammunition supplies for the French army, general finance administrator, and general post offices administrator. Their mother, Henriette Genêt, served Queen Marie Antoinette and in 1794 killed herself before being brought to the guillotine. After her death, the two sisters were placed in the care of their maternal aunt Jeanne-Louise-Henriette Genêt Campan. Madame Campan, an erudite and very influential woman, worked for more than 20 years, starting from 1770, as ‘première femme de chambre’ (first chamber maid) of Marie Antoinette and for this prestigious role she had the chance to establish tight and familiar relationships with the entire French aristocracy.

Excerpt of the expertise by prof. Francesco Leone