Portrait of a Lady with Scarlet Dress, Lace Collar, and Pearl Jewellery C.1620; by Claude Deruet (1588–1660), Oil on Panel Painting

This charming jewel-like portrait is an example of the type of small-scale panel portraits, often of splendid beauties of the time, that became fashionable from about the first quarter of the seventeenth century. It represents a young woman dressed in resplendent scarlet attire with fashionable balloon-like slashed sleeves, and an elaborate openwork lace standing collar that has been painstakingly delineated. The accessory par excellence – pearls – are worn as a coronet, a necklace, and as earrings known as ‘unions excellence’ as they reflected the difficulty of finding perfectly matched pearls of such large size (they could range up to 20 millimetres in diameter). These expensive items, along with the whiteness of her skin, are indicative of the sitter’s wealth and social status.

These superb little portraits, reflections of high society in the French 17th century were very popular both at the time but also by collectors today some four hundred years later. The artist took great effect in rendering the facial details; this portrait sits within some of the best work by the artist and is a notable example of French portraiture. Held in a beautiful antique gilded frame.

Claude Deruet (1588–1660) was a prominent French Baroque painter of the 17th century. He was an apprentice to Jacques Bellange, who served as the official court painter for Charles III, Duke of Lorraine. Between approximately 1612 and 1619, Deruet was in Rome, where he reportedly studied under the painter and etcher Antonio Tempesta.

In 1621, Deruet was ennobled by the Duke of Lorraine, and in 1645, he was honoured as a Knight of the Order of St. Michel by Louis XIII, who had incorporated much of Lorraine into France. He owned an opulent residence in Nancy known as La Romaine, which hosted Louis XIII and his Queen during their visit in 1633. In 1623, Claude Lorrain apprenticed under Claude Deruet for a year. Deruet and his wife had two sons, one of whom pursued a career in painting.

Measurements: Height 70cm, Width 55cm framed (Height 27.5”, Width 21.5” framed)

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, professionally conserved and researched, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works