Double Portrait, Artist at His Easel, Very Fine and Slightly Eerie French 1841 Watercolor

I was completely taken with this one when I spotted it online, sold by a dealer in France--then eagerly awaited its arrival for several weeks, with hopes it would be as good and I thought it was, and it is. Perhaps a study for what would be a large oil painting, though very finely rendered in watercolor by an artist clearly in command of the medium. I'm a sucker for a portrait of an artist at his, or her, easel, actual or proverbial, and absolutely love the composition here, placing the painter and his on-canvas subject exactly side by side, her a sort of ghostly presence hovering over the scene, positioned as if to be whispering in his ear--and/or forever haunting him! Muse, or lost love, or ? With wonderful details enhancing the mise-en-scene, from sketchbook open under his hand on the table, to vase of flowers next to it and more vessels in the background, to open paint box to the other side. And his excellent smock with cinched waist making him look as carefully tailored as the watercolor itself. Dated 1841 at bottom right.  

12 7/8" x 9", watercolor on paper, excellent condition.