This charming pair of mid-19th-century French School portraits depicts two grandmothers, both presumably widows, wearing black gowns and white bonnets.
Alas, the identity of these restful octogenarians is unknown, but it’s intriguing to consider how the two portraits have come into existence. Usually, one would expect a portrait of an older lady to be accompanied by either an older man, or her daughter/daughter-in-law and husband. However, here we see two women of a similar age with little known of their origins.
Are they sisters, perhaps? Living together following the deaths of their husbands? Or were the portraits commissioned as part of a larger family group, which has since been separated? The stretchers are very similar, so it’s likely that the portraits were designed to live together.
Whatever the story, they’re certainly a characterful duo.
Held in later frames.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 23” x 27½” / 59cm x 70cm
Year of creation: c. 1850
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Craquelure throughout. Frames in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV672
