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.
Brave Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Painting to the 17th Century.
Shimmering satin dresses, sumptuous jewellery, and timeless pearl necklaces were de rigueur, and to be seen was to be heard. This particular lady wears her hair in stylish ringlets, yet in a slightly dishevelled manner, as we see in Adriaen Hanneman’s portrait of Princess Mary (1631-1660) from 1659. It appears to have been a short-lived trend, which helps with the dating. It’s also interesting to note the elongated bodice, which forms a point. Evidently, this is a lady of status.
A label on the reverse refers to the German princess Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel (1627-1686), the first wife of Charles I Louis. However, we feel that, although there is a certain degree of similarity, it’s probably not her.
During the conservation process, when removing a layer of discoloured varnish, it became apparent that a Victorian restorer had painted the entire background black, presumably at the whims of the current owner. The sitter had also been made slimmer. Our conservator removed the overpaint to reveal a column on the right-hand side and the remnants of a landscape on the left. It’s evident that this is merely a glimpse at what was there previously, yet it conveys a sense of its history. The fan is also a later addition, as she was previously holding an apple.
Charles Beaubrun, along with his cousin Henri Beaubrun (II) (1603-1677), produced numerous portraits for the courts of Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV. Our portrait resembles several of his works, and it’s conceivable that the artist responsible was influenced by his oeuvre.
Held in an ornate 19th-century gilt frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 39” x 47” / 99cm x 119cm
Year of creation: c. 1660
Labels & Inscriptions: Reference to the German princess Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel on the reverse.
Provenance: Interiors - Masters & Makers, Christie’s, London, 30 October 2012 / Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age. An additional piece of canvas has been attached to the lower right and blended in during a previous restoration.
Our reference: BRV2184
Brave Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Painting to the 17th Century.
Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.
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Charles Beaubrun (Circle), Portrait of a Lady with a Fan, 17th-century French Portrait
