Charles Beaubrun (Circle), Portrait of a Lady with a Fan, 17th-century French Portrait

This splendid mid-17th-century, three-quarter length, portrait depicts a lady of the French court attired in an off-the-shoulder ivory gown together with a scarf, jewellery and fan. It was produced circa 1660 by an artist working in the circle of Charles Beaubrun (1604-1692).

During the late 1650s, France dominated European fashion, led by the illustrious court of the ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV. 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