Portrait Of Two Young Girls With A Blue Ribbon – Pastel By Aimé-henri-edmond Sewrin-bassompierre

Title: Portrait of Two Sisters

Artist: Aimé-Henri-Edmond SEWRIN-BASSOMPIERRE (Paris, 1809–1896), a student of Hersent and Destouches at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris

Signature: Signed lower left BASSOMPIERRE SEWRIN

Period: Napoleon III era / Late 19th century

Technique: Pastel on paper

Format: Oval

Frame: Original oval frame in carved wood with gold leaf detailing

A superb oval pastel portrait depicting two young sisters in half-length view. The two girls wear blue ribbons tied in their chestnut-brown hair and white dresses accented with cobalt blue trim and bows.

The composition exudes great gentleness and sisterly tenderness: the older sister gently enfolds the younger one while resting her hand under her chin.

As an artist of highly sought-after portraits during the July Monarchy and the Second Empire, Aimé-Henri-Edmond Sewrin-Bassompierre demonstrates here a perfect mastery of the pastel technique: the rendering of the skin tones is remarkably natural, the velvety textures of the faces are delicately blended, and the light harmoniously highlights the folds of the fabrics.

The work is signed along the lower left edge: “BASSOMPIERRE SEWRIN.”

The piece is presented in its substantial period oval frame made of wood and stucco gilded with gold leaf, richly adorned with a design of scrollwork and foliage.

Dimensions without frame: 65 cm / 46 cm. With frame: 83 cm / 70 cm.

Contact me for more information; international buyers are welcome.