Louis Hector Leroux (France, 1829-1900) oil on board classical revival style portrait painting depicting a woman, possibly Cleopatra, seated on a marble throne adorned in a classical draped garment and jewelry, including a snake bracelet on her right arm, with an upswept hairstyle. She is seated next to a barrel of scrolls against a dark background with classical architectural details dimly illuminated by a lantern in the top left corner. Signed "Hector LeROUX" to footstool. Housed in a contemporary giltwood frame with a linen liner. Sight: 19 1/2" H x 12 1/4" W. Framed: 25 3/4" H x 18 3/4" W. Biography: Hector Leroux was born in Verdun, France in 1829. In 1857, he was awarded a second-place prize in Rome for his composition on the theme of the Resurrection of Lazarus. This success allowed him to be a resident at the Villa Medici in Rome. During his stay in Rome, he became a member of the Caldarrosti group (a group of French artists living in Rome). A painter with a passion for Antiquity, Leroux painted a work for the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français, Paris in 1881 entitled "Herculaneum, 23 August, year 79", which is on display today at the Musée d'Orsay. Overall very good condition with no visible retouching. Some light crackle; minute abrasion to paint layer measuring 1/8" to subjects forearm; and some light surface wear. Frame with slight gilt loss to corners.