Attributed to Charles EISEN (Valenciennes, 1720- Brussels, 1778). King David Miniature grisaille on ivory Signed and dated upper right: "ch. Eisen inveni-et / fecit. 1775 ". Long old handwritten inscription on verso, partially deciphered: "[...] is by famous/ ch. Eisen peintre et Dessinateur/du Roi en Mille sept Cent...60 Ceci / S'est (sic) le Roi David avec le costume / du tems (sic) qui est au ?? ... / immense of its pseaumes (sic) superb / And admirable. Ce dessein (sic) Oui ne / ferait pas? dans les cabinest. (sic) / du Roi. I was under him living / two years in Paris. This great man / whom nature's play shaped / .... S'est ... ... ... VerSle [Versailles?]/ .... NeSence. An 1778/ Hebert." Rect. 9 x 7cm, gilded wood frame. (missing reverse and off-center miniature). A renowned royal painter and engraver, rector of the Académie de St-Luc, drawing master to Mme de Pompadour, Eisen was also a designer of models for box tops. Until now, Eisen had never been known to produce a miniature on ivory. This one displays a vigorous technique comparable to that of his drawings, notably the Etude de trois vieillards turcs, signed and dated 1767, now in the Louvre (Inv. 26538). A Cic will be issued for circulation in the European Union. PB. 90,4 g