The artist has signed this painting, and I've shown that signature in detail, though I can't read it. The stretcher frame and the very old French canvas attest to the age of this charming little oil painting, and set it in mid-1800s. While it is a portrait, it feels more like a country life vignette. I've had it a long time, always thinking I'd put an antique frame with it, but just haven't. She's been on display on bookshelves, owing to the intimate size and the inviting composition. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good condition for age and type, you can see surface crazing to the layered oil paint if at a certain angle of lighting (I've tried to capture that in the 'sidelong' view in our photos), but there are no chips or losses to the painting and no tears or holes in that very old canvas. The paint is thickly laid, follows the 'realism' movement which transitioned from Orientalism movement (think Messonier) and gave way to the Impressionist movement (think Van Gogh, etc., etc). In this timeframe, Manet shocked art markets by suddenly pulling everyday people and scenes into art, forever changing it. I've loved this little painting as much for where it fits into an epic transition of aesthetic and art, as for the informality of it. I hope you'll love it, too.
