Large portrait of a young woman from the Empire period - allegory of Fertility, HST 108cm x 135cm

<meta charset="UTF-8" />Large portrait depicting a young woman walking in the countryside. Dressed in a white linen dress in the antique style with a pink silk belt, she wears a straw hat filled with wild flowers suspended from her wrist by a ribbon. In her left hand, she holds a nest filled with baby birds, which she protects with her right hand. A ceremonial portrait; this is a large-format work, presented in its palmette frame in gilded wood with gold leaf. The whole is spectacular. The work is that of a master, unfortunately unidentified because the painting is not signed. Empire period, 1810s.

The nest of baby birds in portraits or sculptures is a symbol of fertility. We can assume that this portrait is that of a fiancée or young wife, the object of a commission by her future husband proud to present to his visitors the portrait of the mother of his future children. Quite a program! to be put back in the context of the early 19th century. The portrait is charming and very fresh: the young girl is pretty, the representation is "lively": the young woman looks the viewer straight in the eyes, the composition is clear and cheerful by the choice of colors, the blue sky, the light dress standing out against a luxuriant nature, the care given to the flowers which are painted naturally in a scrupulously way. It is a beautiful painting, which has a real presence. The original Empire oak frame is of museum quality.

Beautiful amateur piece.

Very good condition; the painting has been cleaned and restored by our restorer (canvas formerly mounted on panel), the gilded wooden frame cleaned and restored by our gilder.

Frame: 108cm x 135.3cm
Canvas: 89cm x 117cm

Ref: SCTKAFY5XQ