Alter Ego

This quirky little watercolour is entitled “Alter Ego” and is inscribed along the lower edge in French “Je suis petit  – mais je suis bel homme!” (I am small – but I am a beautiful man!)

It shows a dapper man in a frock coat, striped waistcoat and top hat, with bows on his shoes and a basket over his arm. The basket appears to contain at least one, possibly two, little dogs!

The watercolour is signed with initials D. C. and dated 1828. The paper also has an impressed mark. It is set in a period reeded frame.