Romantic Portrait Of A Young Girl Holding Flowers.french School, Late 1820s

Romantic Portrait of a Young Girl Holding Flowers
French School, Late 1820s
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:

With frame: Width 75 cm x Height 88 cm

Without frame: Width 62 cm x Height 71 cm

Gilded wooden frame, 19th century.

Good overall condition. The canvas has been relined.

This portrait exemplifies the Romantic spirit of the French school from the late 1820s. Through refined technique and a delicate color palette, the artist captures not only the external beauty of the young girl but also the emotional depth that defines Romanticism.
The girl is depicted with a natural and graceful posture, dressed in a white gown with a wide neckline and puffed sleeves, typical of the fashion of the time. A black apron, held gently in her hand, cradles a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers. These flowers, simple and spontaneous, evoke an intimate connection to nature, a central theme of Romanticism, symbolizing fleeting beauty and quiet contemplation.
Draped casually over her arm or the chair is a richly decorated red Kashmir shawl, adding a layer of elegance and refinement that contrasts with the natural simplicity of the flowers.
Her thoughtful and slightly melancholic gaze, directed to the left, invites the viewer into a moment of introspection and poetic reflection, enhanced by the softness of the shadows and the luminosity of the tones.

This work belongs to the tradition of the French school in the early 19th century, known for its focus on portraying feminine figures with grace and sensitivity. The natural elements and attire reflect the Romantic aesthetic, emphasizing harmony between the individual and the natural world.
Beautifully preserved and set within its original gilded frame, this portrait is an exemplary piece of French Romantic painting, combining rural simplicity with artistic sophistication. It embodies the poetry and charm of the late 1820s.