A fine late 19th-century portrait of a lady wearing a beautiful white dress by Danish artist, Vilhelm Jacob Rosenstand (1838-1915). Her style appears to be influenced by ‘Japonisme’, which became popular in the mid to late 19th-century.

During this period, various wares arrived into Europe from Japan and caused quite a stir within the decorative arts. This, in turn, inspired a host of textile designers who sought to incorporate Japanese elements into their creations. Ladies would proudly don the latest floral dresses and ornament themselves with fans, hair accessories and jewellery.

Rosenstand was born in Copenhagen and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and later at Leon Bonnat’s school in Paris. Many of his works have appeared at the leading auction houses with one reaching £52,900 at Sotheby’s. He’s predominantly known for his genre scenes but was also a highly accomplished portrait painter.

The portrait is signed/dated in the top right and housed within a gilded frame with a foliate border and coved sides.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 33½” x 44” / 86cm x 112cm
Year of creation: 1893
Provenance: Denmark
Condition: Very presentable. Light craquelure throughout but the paint layer is stable. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £52,900 achieved for ‘L'oil éclairé (A discerning eye)’ at Sotheby’s in 1996.