Offered by GSLR Antiques
Large portrait of a young woman walking in the countryside. Dressed in an antique-style white linen gown with pink silk sash, she wears a straw hat filled with field flowers hanging from her wrist with a ribbon. In her left hand, she holds a nest full of chicks, which she protects with her right hand. A ceremonial portrait, this large-format work is presented in a gilded wood frame with palmettes. The overall effect is spectacular. The work is by an unidentified master, as it is unsigned. Empire period, 1810s.
The nest of fledglings in portraits or sculpture is a symbol of fertility. We can assume that this portrait is that of a fiancée or young bride, commissioned by her future husband who was proud to present his visitors with the portrait of the mother of his future children. Quite a program! set in the context of the early 19th century. The portrait is charming and fresh: the young girl is pretty, the depiction is “alive”: the young woman looks the viewer straight in the eye, the composition is clear and cheerful in its choice of colors, the blue sky, the light dress standing out against lush nature, the care taken with the flowers, which are scrupulously painted au naturel. It's a beautiful painting, with a real presence. The original Empire oak frame is of museum quality.
A fine amateur piece.
Very good condition, the painting has been cleaned and restored by our restorer (canvas formerly marouflaged on panel), the gilded wooden frame cleaned and restored by our gilder.
Frame dimensions: 108 by 135.3cm
Canvas dimensions: 89 by 117cm
