French Romantic School (c. 1830) - Portrait Of A Lady And Her Dog

Oil on canvas. Original canvas. This striking romantic portrait, with its exquisite brushstrokes, synthesizes the extravagance and profound bourgeois comfort characteristic of many 19th-century paintings, without sacrificing any of the sumptuousness of the Rococo composition. The young woman, whose intense gaze fixes the viewer, embodies social elegance. She is magnificently dressed in a sumptuous fur stole, a light headdress, and an elegant blue velvet gown whose depth accentuates the pallor of her complexion. The gentle touch of the adorable little dog she holds on her lap adds a note of intimacy and tenderness, a vibrant counterpoint to the formality of the chair and the pose, subtly inviting us into the sitter's inner world. The setting is structured like a space of discreet opulence, a room that envelops the mysterious identity of the figure. The majestic Louis XV-style armchair, with its rich upholstery, anchors the composition in the stability of tradition and familial wealth. Subtle details, such as the bouquet of flowers unraveling on a small table, evoke the passage of time or the lady's introspective melancholy. The composition, bathed in a diffused light that enhances the textures of the furs and velvet, makes the entire opulent drawing room revolve around the enigmatic personality of the sitter, offering a visual testimony to the upper middle class of the 19th century. - Image dimensions without frame: 71 x 92 cm / 96 x 118 cm with a magnificent period frame.