An enigmatic charcoal portrait of a middle-aged lady attributed to German artist Julius Mante (1841-1907).

The artist has captured an expression that's deliberately tricky to decipher. What do you see? Strength? Shyness? Regret?

It's plausible that Mante completed this work during his training at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich.

The portrait is signed in the lower right and housed within a good later frame.

Medium: Charcoal on paper
Overall size: 19½” x 23” / 50cm x 59cm
Year of creation: c. 1865
Provenance: Germany
Condition: Very good.
Our reference: BRV683