‘Earliest portrait' of a transvestite found

[Shana A]

'Earliest portrait' of a transvestite found
An art dealer claims that the 18th century portrait, formerly thought to depict a woman, is the earliest known formal painting of a man in drag in Western art history.

By Florence Waters
3:37PM BST 16 Apr 2012

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-news/9207140/Earliest-portrait-of-a-transvestite-found.html

If it weren't for the lace fichu around his neck, you might be forgiven for thinking him manlier - and even slightly less flamboyant in his dress - than your average 18th century gentleman.

The portrait, which dates to the late 18th century was attributed to American portrait painter Gilbert Stuart when it emerged at an auction saleroom in New York with the description 'Portrait of a Woman with a Feather in Her Hat' last November.

He has since been identified by British dealer Philip Mould as the French spy, diplomat and transvestite, known as the Chevalier d'Éon (real name Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont).

[Shana A]

Posted on Advocate.com April 21, 2012 11:25:00 AM ET

18th-century Painting Appears to Portray Trans Person
Chevalier D'Eon lived quite a life, apparently.
By Neal Broverman

http://www.advocate.com/Society/18thcentury_Painting_Appears_to_Portray_Trans_Person/

The "Chevalier D'Eon," a 18th-century painting of a cross-dressing man, who may have identified as female at one point, recently sold to a British gallery.

The painting, by Thomas Stewart, depicts Chevalier D'Eon, who apparently lived quite a life of intrigue as a British-based employee of King Louis XV's secret service. It's believed D'Eon began dressing as a woman to evade capture after betraying the French government, eventually identifying as a woman until dying in 1810.

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Earliest painting of transvestite is uncovered in British gallery
Portrait of 'woman in a feathered hat,' now called 'Chevalier D'Eon,' is no woman at all

By Jeanna Bryner Managing editor
updated 4/20/2012 11:29:29 AM ET

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47117012/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.T5RMv46Dq-R

An 18th-century portrait sold in New York to a British gallery as a "woman in a feathered hat" turns out to actually portray a man dressed as a woman, becoming the earliest known painting of a transvestite.

The transvestite painting, now called the "Chevalier D'Eon," is currently hanging in the Philip Mould Ltd. gallery in London and will possibly become a permanent feature in the British National Portraits Gallery, said art dealer and art historian Philip Mould, director of Philip Mould Ltd.

[MadelineB]

National Portrait Gallery in London buys portrait of celebrated diplomat, soldier and cross-dresser Chevalier d'Eon

Mark Brown, arts correspondent, guardian.co.uk
6 June 2012 10.16 EDT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/jun/06/portrait-18th-century-early-transvestite?newsfeed=true

Charles Geneviève Louis Auguste André Timothée d'Éon de Beaumont, to give her full name, is one of the most important transvestites in history. She was "a fascinating and inspirational figure", said Lucy Peltz, the gallery's curator of 18th-century portraits.

"We are absolutely delighted to be able to acquire this portrait."

[MadelineB]

The Chevalier d'Eon was one of the most famous transgender figures in modern history. Living to 82 years of age, she lived her last 33 years as a woman. She died in 1810.

You can read more about this fascinating figure here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_d%27Eon

[Shana A]

The Chevalier d'Eon was one of the most famous transgender figures in modern history. Living to 82 years of age, she lived her last 33 years as a woman. She died in 1810.

You can read more about this fascinating figure here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevalier_d%27Eon

She was also the subject of a fascinating book, "Monsieur d'Eon Is a Woman: A Tale of Political Intrigue and Sexual Masquerade" by Gary Kates.

Z