Pauline Laurent (1850–1941) — Sketch For *la Poverella!* — Oil On Canvas

Presented unframed.
96.5 x 77 cm

Pauline Laurent was a painter of the Belle Époque who specialized in portraits. She began exhibiting as early as 1873 (at the age of 22).

In 1874, she exhibited *La Poverella!* at the Paris Salon. Pauline Laurent traveled extensively, particularly to Italy, to draw inspiration.
The sketch we are offering for sale today represents the artist’s initial exploration of the subject.
Pauline Laurent most likely removed the canvas from its stretcher herself to facilitate transport, so she could resume work in her studio.

*La Poverella!* caused a sensation at the Paris Salon and was highly acclaimed by art critics.
Her works would soon find their way into the collections of prestigious museums such as the British Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Paris, to name just a few.

The work we are offering is therefore of particular artistic interest, as it reveals the artist’s initial perspective on his subject.