An atmospheric portrait of an older lady wearing a black dress, chain and white bonnet. She’s giving us a knowing look - as if we’ve been out all night but she doesn’t want the details.

The artist, Louise Vaucorbeil Rang-Babut (1805-1884), studied under Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) and Jean-Hilaire Belloc (1786-1866). She knew Delacroix as an acquaintance and would correspond frequently.

Several of Rang-Babut’s works were exhibited at the Paris Salon between 1831 and 1842.

The painting is signed ‘Louise Babut’ on the left.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 23½” x 29” / 60cm x 74cm
Year of creation: c. 1840
Provenance: France
Condition: Light craquelure but the paint is stable. A little scuffing around the edges. Canvas relined.