Code: 10249
Dimensions:
A stunning portrait of an atypical Parisian beauty by Adele Grasset (active ca 1830-1850). With her intelligent eyes and determined look, doesn't this lady bear great resemblance to Chopin's paramour George Sand?
The sitter is most likely Jeanne Marie Vidal, wife of Claude Auguste Seguin, from a prominent family in Avignon, as the insription the back for the frame indicates. The present small fragment is probably a study for a larger portrait by of Jeanne Marie Vidal which is also available for purchase.
As often with woman artists of the 18th and 19th century, there is little biographical information available on artist Adèle Grasset. We do know however, that she had studied with the highly prominent artist François "Baron" Gérard (1770-1837).
Adèle Grasset is particularly famed for her portrait of the poet Louise Colet, Gustave Flaubert's lover. Another painting by Adèle Grasset, a portrait of Canova, is in Versailles Castle.
Please note that the charoal drawing here presented is unsigned. It came from a family collection of portraits which were by Adèle Grasset and there is little doubt about the authorship.
The size of the drawing measured without the frame or mount is 12.5 x 10.5 cm approx. Light buckling to mount.