19th Century Portrait of a Lady

Details

Description

An elegant 19th-century original pastel portrait under glass, depicting a young woman with softly powdered hair and a serene expression … Read more An elegant 19th-century original pastel portrait under glass, depicting a young woman with softly powdered hair and a serene expression in the romanticized style of the late 18th century. The artwork is signed "Michel" in the lower right and is housed in a beautifully carved Louis XVI-style gilt wood frame with an elaborate ribbon-and-bow crest.

Unlike a portrait miniature, this is a substantial decorative work, measuring 20 inches from the lower rosettes of the frame to the top of the bow, making it an impressive statement piece for a mantel, salon, bedroom, or gallery wall.

The pastel retains its wonderfully soft palette and delicate modeling beneath its original glass, creating the luminous quality that only antique pastels possess.

Included with the portrait is the original paperwork from its previous gallery sale in 2011, providing documented provenance within its more recent history. The reverse also bears a label from a respected Baltimore stationer, suggesting the portrait was professionally handled there at some point in its life. While its exact role is unknown, the stationer may have remounted the pastel, reframed it, or simply serviced the piece during its history.

The Louis XVI-style gilt wood frame displays the expected character of age. The visible lines appear to be age-related wood separations rather than structural cracks, and the frame remains stable. There is scattered wear and gilt loss consistent with its age, contributing to its authentic antique patina.

A graceful and timeless portrait that blends beautifully into French, European, grandmillennial, traditional, and collected interiors.

Details
Original 19th-century pastel
Signed "Michel" lower right
Original pastel under glass
Louis XVI-style gilt wood ribbon-and-bow frame
Overall height: 20 inches (measured from the lower rosettes to the top of the bow)
Includes 2011 gallery sale paperwork
Ready to hang

Condition:
Very good antique condition overall. The pastel presents beautifully with some light spotting in areas, potentially from the aging of the artist's medium. The frame exhibits age-appropriate wear, including scattered gilt loss and what appears to be stable age-related wood separations (not cracks). Minor surface wear is consistent with more than a century of age and does not detract from the portrait's exceptional decorative presence. Please see photos as they are part of the description. See less