This charming mid-18th-century French oil painting depicts a lady wearing a black dress, an embroidered white lace cap, a multi-strand pearl choker and a black necktie. She’s holding a fan in her right hand.

Produced in 1762, when French fashion was dominated by sweeping drapery and understated elegance, our lady is cutting a unique figure in her rather creative ensemble. The headwear, which could be referred to as a winged cap, is particularly unusual and we’re yet to find another example from the period. Her combination of black necktie and choker is also curiously fabulous.

Her fan, a must-have accessory for any self-respecting lady of merit, is probably constructed of ivory sticks with an ornate, elaborately carved, design.

An inscription in the top left reads ‘Aetatis 40 1762’, which translates as ‘Age 40 1762’. Held in a contemporary frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 16½” x 20½” / 42cm x 52cm
Year of creation: 1762
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Faint stretcher mark. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV1958