Circle Of Georges Sand, Portrait Of A Woman Circa 1860

There are objects or paintings that reveal only a portion of their secrets. This magnificent portrait of a young woman, with her kind and determined smile, is part of that game of hide-and-seek. Beautiful, serene, and poised, the black lace veil and sparse jewelry symbolize mourning for a loved one. Her low-cut bodice is not that of a widow; the dress is more of an evening gown. The frame of this painting contained two letters: one from George Sand, which I have not had access to, and one from her son, Maurice Sand, which will be given to the painting's buyer. This very interesting painting, which speaks of both personal events (the birth of his first child) and his principal literary work, is addressed to someone named "my dear Duplan." Pierre Paul Duplan (1806-1878) was a lawyer from the Cher region, involved in the progressive struggles alongside George Sand during the 1848 Revolution, and was even elected deputy from 1848 to 1849. Unbreakable bonds were forged with the Sand family at that time; indeed, in his letter, the son sends his mother's friendly greetings and writes from Nohant, the family's refuge. This might lead us to believe that this woman with her frank, direct, and vibrant gaze could be the wife of this lawyer, or at least a very close friend. The painting has just been cleaned, and the original frame restored. The frame, having shifted slightly, still has a few imperfections, but is perfectly presentable. The whole thing has a crazy charm, and the painting, although unsigned, is made by a painter who knew how to perfectly capture the psychology of his model.