This exquisite mid-19th-century bust-length Austrian portrait depicts a young lady wearing a red gown together with a black lace veil, similar to a mantilla, and a red rose. It was formerly in the collection of Countess Hilda de Rothschild (nee von Auersperg).

There’s a porcelain quality to this delicate portrayal, which captures the sitter with both finesse and spirit. It’s accurately rendered, yet avoids the perils of overwork. Although the artist is unknown, they evidently trained at one of Europe’s finest academies. It’s comparable with the works of Austrian artist, Heinrich Hollpein (1814-1888), who studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

A 20th-century label on the reverse refers to the Viennese socialite, Hilda de Rothschild, one of the portrait's former owners. In 1946, she emigrated from Austria to the US, where she married Luis Nathaniel Rothschild, another Austrian expatriate. They lived together at Ellis Farm in Vermont. Upon her husband’s death in 1955, she inherited his significant art collection, which conceivably included this portrait.

Held in a later gilt frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 28½” x 33½” / 72cm x 85cm
Year of creation: c. 1860
Labels & Inscriptions: Various references to Hilda de Rothschild on the reverse.
Provenance: With Countess Hilda de Rothschild / Private collection, France.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear. 
Our reference: BRV2175