Circle of Carolus-Duran – French Belle Époque Portrait of a Lady, c. 1880–1900

Elegant French Belle Époque Portrait of a Lady – Oil on Canvas, c. 1880–1900, circle of Carolus-Duran

A beautifully atmospheric late 19th-century oil portrait depicting an elegant woman in black lace and a jeweled necklace against a rich warm red background. The painting has a wonderfully painterly quality, with especially loose and confident handling in the hair, lace sleeves, and dress details.

The portrait strongly recalls the fashionable Paris salon style associated with the circle of Carolus-Duran and French society portraiture of the Belle Époque period.

The painting has recently been professionally cleaned, revealing the subtle tones and expressive brushwork beneath old varnish. It is presented in a large antique Rococo Revival frame which has also been sympathetically restored while intentionally retaining its aged and authentic character rather than appearing newly gilded.

Interesting historical evidence suggests that the work was originally part of a larger portrait composition and was reduced in size at some point in its history. The existing stretchers appear to be original to the painting but have themselves been resized. Slight evidence of a former stretcher bar can be seen through the paint surface, and old strut marks remain visible on the reverse stretcher construction.

The painting was acquired at Bonhams in the United Kingdom nearly twenty years ago and was already housed in its current antique frame at that time.

An evocative and decorative late 19th-century portrait with genuine period character and strong painterly presence.

Condition:
Canvas Size unframed 52 x 72 cm.
Recently cleaned and presented in restored antique frame. Age-related wear consistent with period. Evidence of historical resizing as described above.

Please refer carefully to photographs for condition and detail.