After Louis-Marie Lanté, Portrait of Héloïse, Historical Illustration, 1900, Engraving

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Hand-Colored Portrait of Héloïse, ca. 1900 (after 1827) Finely hand-colored engraving of Héloïse (1101–1164), the famed French nun, scholar, and … Read more Hand-Colored Portrait of Héloïse, ca. 1900 (after 1827) Finely hand-colored engraving of Héloïse (1101–1164), the famed French nun, scholar, and writer, produced around 1900 after the original plate from the 1827 series Galerie Française de Femmes Célèbres. The original series was designed by Louis-Marie Lanté and engraved by Georges Jacques Gatine, and later reissued at the turn of the 20th century to appeal to collectors of historical portraiture and costume. The engraving depicts Héloïse in a long flowing blue gown, tied at the waist with a simple belt. A small pouch hangs from the belt, and she gestures toward her chest in a symbolic pose. Her hair is parted and bound with a thin red band, framing her face in soft curls. The simplicity of her attire contrasts with the elaborate costumes of courtly women, underscoring her identity as a scholar, abbess, and thinker. Héloïse is remembered for her tragic and legendary love affair with the philosopher Peter Abelard, one of the most famous romances of medieval Europe. Their letters, preserved through the centuries, reveal her brilliance as a scholar of Latin, philosophy, and theology, as well as her enduring passion and emotional depth. She later became Abbess of the Paraclete, where she continued her intellectual and spiritual pursuits. This series of portraits sought to memorialize the most celebrated women in French history, from queens and noblewomen to saints and intellectuals. While the original edition was published in 1827, these ca. 1900 reimpressions retain the high quality of hand coloring and engraving, making them desirable as both decorative art and historical references. Condition report: Very good condition, with fresh coloring and clean paper. Slight toning in the margins and minor traces of age, well outside the image. Blank verso. Framing tips: A gilt or dark wood frame with a pale cream or soft grey mount would enhance the elegance of the blue gown. A fine red inner line in the mat could echo the headband and bring visual balance. Technique: Hand-colored engraving (later impression, ca. 1900) Maker: After Georges Jacques Gatine (engraver) and Louis-Marie Lanté (artist), original Paris edition 1827 See less