"french School, 19th Century, Bust Of A Young Woman"

FRENCH SCHOOL 19th c.,
Bust of a young woman, second part 19th c.
Oil on canvas, relined.
Gilded wood frame.

This anonymous portrait from the end of the 19th century depicts a young woman with surprisingly modern accents. At first glance, her classical beauty is evident. Her face displays pure, chiseled features, a noble, straight nose, a powerful, elongated neck, and a square chin enhanced by a noble carriage.
But the model is also animated by a palpable presence and sensitivity. This is perceived through the acuity of her gaze with its gray iris fixedly directed toward the distance, the slight flush of her cheeks, the delicate outline of her small, hemmed lips, and the deft treatment of her short hairstyle with hair pulled back in rolls.
The modeling is masterful. A subtle play of shadows enlivens the right side of the figure, while multiple touches of blue-gray run through the folds of the face and the details of his complexion. Other touches of carmine red, almost imperceptible, highlight the corners of his eyes. The whole gives the portrait a natural presence and a timeless strength.