Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas

Name: Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1157254
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This charming pair of mid-19th-century French School portraits depicts two grandmothers, both presumably widows, wearing black gowns and white bonnets.

Alas, the identity of these restful octogenarians is unknown, but it’s intriguing to consider how the two portraits have come into existence. Usually, one would expect a portrait of an older lady to be accompanied by either an older man, or her daughter/daughter-in-law and husband. However, here we see two women of a similar age with little known of their origins.

Are they sisters, perhaps? Living together following the deaths of their husbands? Or were the portraits commissioned as part of a larger family group, which has since been separated? The stretchers are very similar, so it’s likely that the portraits were designed to live together.

Whatever the story, they’re certainly a characterful duo.

Held in later frames.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 23” x 27½” / 59cm x 70cm

Year of creation: c. 1850

Provenance: Private collection, France.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Craquelure throughout. Frames in excellent condition.

Our reference: BRV672

Physical Dimensions

Height

70cm (27.56")

Width

59cm (23.23")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1157254

Description

This charming pair of mid-19th-century French School portraits depicts two grandmothers, both presumably widows, wearing black gowns and white bonnets.

“

Alas, the identity of these restful octogenarians is unknown, but it’s intriguing to consider how the two portraits have come into existence.

Brave Fine Art

Usually, one would expect a portrait of an older lady to be accompanied by either an older man, or her daughter/daughter-in-law and husband. However, here we see two women of a similar age with little known of their origins.

fig 1. Mid-19th-Century French School, A Pair Of Nanas — fig 1. Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas

Are they sisters, perhaps? Living together following the deaths of their husbands? Or were the portraits commissioned as part of a larger family group, which has since been separated? The stretchers are very similar, so it’s likely that the portraits were designed to live together.