Portrait Of Young Woman Around 1860

Lovely portrait of a young woman from the Napoleon III period, unsigned, but produced with a particularly mastered technique in simplicity. No great effects, but an elegant and sober touch, full of sensitivity and life, worthy of the painters of good Parisian society. The canvas merchant is in the 10th arrondissement. We are in the spirit of the Flandrins brothers. This portrait carries with it an element of mystery: in fact in its frame was hidden a letter from Maurice Sand, the well-known son of Georges Sand, sent from Nohant, their family home where Chopin resided, addressed to Duplan, a character who was lawyer , regarding the reissue of his novel Callirhoe, and the birth of his first child (who died in infancy a little later). What this letter does is a very difficult question, but it tells us that we are in the close entourage of the Sands, who permanently hosted a colony of artists in Nohant. I attach the letter to the table to preserve this fragile trace of the past. The unrestored painting is in its original frame. As is. A cleaning would restore this work to all its shine, even if it is still very present. There is a presence in this painting that opens the door to the world of 19th century letters.