A fabulous early 20th-century portrait of a seated lady dressed to impress in the latest Parisian styles. She’s bathed in sunlight while holding an orient-inspired fan.

During the 1900s, fashionable society ladies often wore a figure-crushing S-bend corset. This was designed to push the hips backwards and force the chest forwards - creating a kind of pigeon shape. This was then emphasised with frilly blouses and decorative lace. As we see here, the effect is quite beguiling.

Every element of this painting is designed to convey a sense of societal achievement - the stylish garden, the chair, the posture, the face.

The panel is housed within an appropriate gilded frame.

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 17” x 21” / 44cm x 54cm
Year of creation: c. 1910
Provenance: France
Condition: Very good. Frame with some light age-related wear.