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Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1157254
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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

19th century
Sold 6 January 2026 · Brave Fine Art
This “Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brave Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Painting FramedFrench Portrait ArtFrench School Portrait Ask the dealer for something similar
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

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
59cm (23.23")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
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. A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background.
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.

fig 2. A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background.
fig 2. Mid-19th-century French School, a Pair of Nanas

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

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 19th Century.

Height
70cm (27.56")
Width
59cm (23.23")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1157254
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

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

Archive II A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View II
Archive III A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View III
Archive IV A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View IV
Archive V A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View V
Archive VI A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View VI
Archive VII A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View VII
Archive VIII A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View VIII
Archive IX A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View IX
Archive X A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View X
Archive XI A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background. View XI
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art
Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 76
Items Sold 1,853
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
76
Sold
1,853
A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background.
Mid-19th-Century French School, A Pair Of Nanas
Ref: SA1157254
A framed 19th-century oil portrait of an elderly woman wearing a white lace bonnet and dark clothing against a dark background.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench School
  • MaterialCanvas, Oil paint, Wood
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsPortraiture, Lace bonnet, Dark palette, Chiaroscuro lighting
  • SizeH 70 cm (28 in) x W 59 cm (23 in) x D 3 cm (1 in)

FAQs

The 19th-century French School encompassed diverse movements from academic realism to early impressionism, frequently focusing on psychological depth and precise draughtsmanship in portraiture.

Authentic pieces from this era typically feature oil paint applied to stretched linen or cotton canvas, often housed within moulded wooden frames with gesso and gilt or painted finishes.

Authentication involves examining canvas weave characteristics, stretcher frame construction, pigment composition, and the presence of natural age-related craquelure under magnification.

Pairing historical portraiture with contemporary minimalist furniture creates a striking juxtaposition that highlights the artworks texture and historical narrative.

Preservation requires maintaining stable relative humidity and temperature levels, keeping canvases away from direct sunlight, and avoiding chemical cleaners on both the paint surface and the frame.
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