Pair Of Late 18th-century Portraits Of Women, Dutch School, Follower Of Metsu, Allegory Of Flowers And Fruit

A pair of oil paintings on panel depicting portraits of two young women, Dutch school, by a painter inspired by certain compositions with figures painted in alcoves, such as those by Gabriel Metsu. These portraits are painted in half-length within symbolic compositions inspired by the Northern European tradition of genre painting. The first portrait depicts a young woman dressed in a blue and white gown, holding a basket overflowing with fruit, a classic evocation of abundance and fertility. The second portrait is of a young woman in a red dress adorned with a light-colored scarf, holding delicately painted flowers, symbols of nature and ephemeral beauty. She is depicted in an alcove, like some portraits painted by Gabriel Metsu, for example; this alcove is surrounded by blue bindweed. These two portraits are very finely and delicately painted. The palette used is warm, and the painter employed glazing techniques to express the subtlety of the faces. These unsigned works belong to the Dutch pictorial tradition of the late 18th century, blending the legacy of the previous century with pre-Romantic sensibility. The quality of the drawing, the rendering of flesh tones, and the delicate treatment of fabrics testify to a painter who mastered the conventions of his time. The varnish has yellowed with age; thinning it would reveal more vibrant colors. Note a small crack at the top of the painting in the background, which was previously restored. Dimensions: 45 cm x 45 cm. The panels are quite thick and heavy. Shipping cost within France via Colissimo registered mail with insurance and excellent packaging: €30. Contact me for shipping costs to Europe or worldwide.