Portrait Of A Young Courtesan In A Red Dress. Attributed To Claude Deruet (circa 1588 – 1660)

France, circa 1620–1630. Oil on oak panel (lined). Presented in a beautiful, heavily molded, black lacquered frame, interspersed with a gilt twist and a frieze of gilt acanthus leaves. Model known as the “Salvador Rosa”. Overall dimensions: 57 x 48 cm. Panel alone: 35 × 27 cm. Description: This small, refined portrait depicts a richly adorned young woman wearing a vibrant red gown decorated with bows, gold braid, and white lace. The hairstyle, composed of tight curls embellished with feathers and pearls, very fashionable at the time, sometimes called the “Medici hairstyle,” perfectly reflects the aristocratic and courtly fashions of the first third of the 17th century. The jewelry—particularly the pearl necklace—reinforces the idea of high social status or of a figure associated with the world of courtly life and seduction. The composition is typical of small-format portraits produced in Lorraine and France in the 1620s and 1630s: a dark background, a slightly three-quarter view of the bust, and soft light that models the face and fabrics. The meticulous treatment of the textiles, the vibrancy of the colors, and the delicacy of the ornamental details suggest the hand of a painter accustomed to elegant portraits and idealized female figures. The attribution to Claude Deruet rests on several stylistic elements: slender figures, a taste for refined ornamentation, a warm palette, and the persistent influence of late Mannerism inherited from Jacques Bellange. Deruet, active in Nancy, often depicted female figures in sumptuous costumes, blending realism and stylization. Function and context: Portraits of this type were often intended for private use: gallant gifts, effigies of famous courtesans, intimate mementos, or simply idealized representations of feminine beauty. Their small size facilitated their transport and preservation in private cabinets, where they were displayed alongside miniatures, precious objects, and curiosities. Claude Deruet (c. 1588–1660) is one of the major figures of the Lorraine school of the early 17th century. Trained under Jacques Bellange, he inherited from his master a pronounced taste for elegant silhouettes, sophisticated drapery, and a certain Mannerist tension. He then stayed in Rome, where he worked in the circle of Cavalier d'Arpino, which gave his work a more pronounced Baroque style. Returning to Nancy, Deruet became the official painter to Duke Charles IV of Lorraine. He produced portraits, allegorical scenes, religious compositions, and court works celebrating the prestige of the duchy. His reputation extended beyond France: Louis XIII knighted him in 1645. His style, at once refined, colorful, and highly ornamental, makes him a valuable witness to Lorraine aesthetics, poised between late Mannerism and nascent Baroque. Excellent condition. Sold with a certificate of authenticity.