A charming mid-19th-century French school portrait of an attractive young lady wearing a black dress with a decorative white lace collar. The artist has captured an endearing expression - her eyebrows are raised and there’s the inkling of a smile.

On the reverse, a piece of canvas has been attached which dates the portrait to 1841. This is interesting as her style is a little more 1850s due to the side coils in her hair. But perhaps she was just ahead of her time in terms of her fashion sense. She’s certainly a lady of means.

The portrait is housed within a good later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 22½” x 29½” / 57cm x 75cm
Year of creation: 1841
Provenance: France
Condition: Craquelure throughout but the paint layer seems stable. Frame with a little wear. Canvas relined.