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César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1026405
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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    Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.
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César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting

1920 - 1940
Sold 25 February 2025 · Brave Fine Art
This “César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting” 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.

Description

This early 20th-century oil painting by Spanish artist César Fernández Ardavín (1883-1974) depicts a cheerful young woman before a mirror.

Buoyant and playful, she sits casually on a chaise lounge. Her effervescent smile reflected in a mirror. She could be an actress looking out from the screen - portrayed as we see her.

It’s an unusual and rather witty piece, full of life and joviality. An inscription in the lower right translates as ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’, which is intriguing as Ardavín worked among numerous celebrities due to his familiarity with the film industry. Both of his brothers had connections and his son became a well-known director.

A charming piece from one friend to another.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 31½” x 37½” / 80cm x 95cm

Year of creation: c. 1940

Labels & Inscriptions: ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’.

Provenance: Private collection, Spain.

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.

Spanish artist César Fernández Ardavín was primarily known as a poster designer but also produced portraits and landscapes in oil along with over 1,000 drawings. His family has close ties with the film industry as his brother, Luis, was a writer and another brother, Eusebio, was a multi-disciplinarian in cinematographic disciplines. César preferred to pursue a career in design and painting but did produce various film posters. He also worked at his father’s lithographic studio.

His son, César Fernández-Ardavín Ruiz, became a director. An example of his work is held in The Frick Collection, New York.

Learn more about César Fernández Ardavín in our directory.

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Oil Painting Portrait to the 1940s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
95cm (37.40")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1026405
Description
This early 20th-century oil painting by Spanish artist César Fernández Ardavín (1883-1974) depicts a cheerful young woman before a mirror.

Buoyant and playful, she sits casually on a chaise lounge. Her effervescent smile reflected in a mirror. She could be an actress looking out from the screen - portrayed as we see her.

fig 1. An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress.
fig 1. César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting

It’s an unusual and rather witty piece, full of life and joviality. An inscription in the lower right translates as ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’, which is intriguing as Ardavín worked among numerous celebrities due to his familiarity with the film industry. Both of his brothers had connections and his son became a well-known director.

fig 2. An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress.
fig 2. César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting

A charming piece from one friend to another.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 31½” x 37½” / 80cm x 95cm

Year of creation: c. 1940

Labels & Inscriptions: ‘For Frances, from your _(illegible)_ and friend César Fernández Ardavín’.

fig 3. An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress.
fig 3. César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting

Provenance: Private collection, Spain.

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.

“
Spanish artist César Fernández Ardavín was primarily known as a poster designer but also produced portraits and landscapes in oil along with over 1,000 drawings.
Brave Fine Art

His family has close ties with the film industry as his brother, Luis, was a writer and another brother, Eusebio, was a multi-disciplinarian in cinematographic disciplines. César preferred to pursue a career in design and painting but did produce various film posters. He also worked at his father’s lithographic studio.

His son, César Fernández-Ardavín Ruiz, became a director. An example of his work is held in The Frick Collection, New York.

Learn more about César Fernández Ardavín in our directory.

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Oil Painting Portrait to the 1940s.

Height
95cm (37.40")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1026405
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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An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait of a Girl Before a Mirror - Oil Painting

Archive II An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View II
Archive III An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View III
Archive IV An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View IV
Archive V An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View V
Archive VI An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View VI
Archive VII An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View VII
Archive VIII An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View VIII
Archive IX An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress. View IX
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Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
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.
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
76
Sold
1,853
An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress.
César Fernández Ardavín, Portrait Of A Girl Before A Mirror - Oil Painting
Ref: SA1026405
An oil painting depicting a young woman with auburn hair seated before a mirror, wearing a light blue dress.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleRealism
  • MaterialOil paint, Canvas, Wood
  • ColourMuted Blue
  • MotifsFigurative subject, Reflective surface, Soft lighting, Impressionistic brushwork
  • SizeH 95 cm (37 in) x W 80 cm (31 in) x D 5 cm (2 in)

Oil painting on canvas gained prominence during the Renaissance, offering artists rich colour depth, smooth blending capabilities, and long-lasting durability for portraiture.

These works typically utilise linen or cotton canvas stretched over a wooden frame, primed with gesso, and painted with pigment suspended in drying oils such as linseed.

Authentication involves examining canvas age, craquelure patterns in the paint layer, stretcher frame construction, artist signatures, and pigment composition under specialised lighting.

Pairing a traditional framed canvas with clean-line modern furniture creates a sophisticated juxtaposition, adding warmth, narrative, and focal depth to a room.

Keep paintings away from direct sunlight, maintain stable humidity and temperature levels, and consult a professional conservator for surface cleaning to prevent varnish damage.
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