Franz Xaver Winterhalter (Circle), Portrait Of A Lady In A Pink Dress

c. 1832

This fine mid-19th-century German miniature depicts a woman wearing a black dress and a beautiful white and lilac day cap. Produced around 1840, this exquisite piece on porcelain is...

This fine late 19th-century portrait by renowned Italian artist Jean Baptiste Discart (1856-1944) depicts a lady wearing a black dress embellished with a lace collar, together with a single yellow rose. It’s catalogued (#3) in Theo P.G. Kralt’s book, Jean Baptiste Discart, Orientalist Paintings and Dutch Portraits. A provocative rose draws one’s eye to the ‘décolletage’. Was it her idea or the bold suggestion of a young Discart, just 21, and bursting with energy? The style of dress came to the fore during the late 19th century and was regarded as somewhat improper by a stoic older generation. But, of course, the glaring eyes only encouraged young ladies to rebel and adopt the fashion regardless. Little is known about the sitter, but it’s conceivable that she’s either Austrian or French, given Discart’s known locations in 1879. It was completed during his training. It bears all the hallmarks of a young and confident painter looking to establish himself. Born in Modena, Italy, Discart’s father, Francesco Ferdinando, moved in particularly distinguished circles and worked for the Duke of Modena. Indeed, the Duke became young Jean’s godfather, so the pair were well-connected. One can only imagine the ostentatious interiors that he witnessed during childhood, and it’s conceivable that these experiences inspired his appreciation for the finer things in life. At 14, he was enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he trained under the German painter, Anselm Feuerbach (1829-1880). It seems that he stayed here until Feuerbach’s retirement in 1877 when the course was handed over to Leopold Carl Müller (1834-1892). His short time under Müller, known for his exquisite ‘orientalist’ work, would be transformative. From here, he left Vienna to immerse himself in the cosmopolitan environs of the French Capital and exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1884. At that point in time, Paris was an exciting place for an emerging artist. In 1884, the Société des Artistes Indépendants held their first show, which included works by Paul Cézanne...

This exceedingly charming mid-18th-century English oil painting depicts a girl wearing a red gown with a train over a white petticoat. She’s holding a posy or nosegay. Evidently once commissioned for an English country house, the identity of this young lady remains a mystery. Her gown appears to be inspired by the popular ‘robe à la française...

This charming mid-18th-century half-length French portrait depicts a lady wearing an olive green gown, together with a red cloak, and exquisite sapphi...

Oil on canvas depicting a young lady of quality dressed in a beautiful pink dress. In the background, a Chinese or Japanese lacquer screen. S...

Signed lower left, 'E. Brown' (English school, 19th century) and dated 'May, 1844'. A fine, mid-nineteenth century portrait of a lady of quality wearing the hairstyle made popular b...

Dark red-toned realist portrait of a Victorian Lady. The painting depicts a middle-aged lady seated against a dark red curtain for a portrait. She wears a pink Victorian off-shoulder...

A delicately-observed, three-quarter length oil portrait of a young woman in society, fashionably dressed in a pinch-waisted, embroidered chiffon ball-gown and wearing a gold pendant...