Raw Brush
Antique 19th Century French Female Portrait with a Lace Cap
Antique 19th Century French Female Portrait with a Lace Cap
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A woman sits against a dark ground, turned slightly but looking straight out at you, dressed in the fashion of 1840s France: a deep red gown with full sleeves, a wide lace collar, drop earrings, and a dark bead necklace fastened with gold. Crowning it all is an elaborate lace day cap, ruffled and translucent, framing her face like something spun rather than sewn. She meets your eye evenly, composed and self-possessed, with the faintest set to her mouth, the look of a woman entirely sure of herself.
Her sitter is anonymous, which turns out to be part of the appeal: no fixed biography, no family story that predates yours, just a real woman from another century with a presence that still carries.
Why We Love It
It's the cap and her presence together. We've passed on countless portraits of women in bonnets and head coverings, most of them heavy, dated, and unflattering. This one had us wondering where you'd even find a cap like it, whether it would look half as good on us. The lace is delicate and alive, ruffled into something almost weightless, and instead of aging her it frames her beautifully, but it only works because of the face beneath it. She looks out with a directness and self-possession that reads as a specific person, not a sitter arranged for effect.
That's the combination that got us: a head covering we'd normally skip, worn by a woman we couldn't look away from. You find yourself wondering who she was, which is the mark of a portrait that actually works.
Key Features:
- Origin: France
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Period: circa 1840
- Dimensions: 16.5" x 16"
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Condition: Great antique condition, with the honest signs of a life lived over more than a century. The canvas has been professionally restretched and may have been relined for stability. Please see photos for details.
- The piece will be shipped from Los Angeles
DELIVERY & RETURNS
DELIVERY & RETURNS
✈️ Shipping & Delivery
We offer free shipping for all orders, with an expedited option available for those who consider waiting for art a form of exquisite torture. All items are insured and carefully packaged to ensure they arrive safely. Delivery typically takes 5–15 business days, depending on your location.
🇺🇸 U.S. customers: All of our pieces are exempt from import duties and tariffs. We provide the correct documentation to ensure your order clears customs smoothly.
🇬🇧 UK customers: Antique artworks are duty-free and qualify for a reduced 5% VAT at import, not the full rate.
🌍 Customers in other countries: Duties and taxes vary, but original and antique artworks often qualify for reduced or zero import fees. Please check with your local customs office for details. We’re happy to assist and provide any documentation you may need.
If you have questions about shipping or customs, please don’t hesitate to message us at hello@rawbrush.com, we’re here to help.
Most of our paintings will be shipped straight from France unless specified otherwise. While we aim to send them your way as quickly as possible, very occasional delays may occur, as some of our beloved French partners have a certain je ne sais quoi and like to take their time preparing the paintings. You can’t rush good things in life, after all—and we’re talking about antique and vintage paintings here.
Return
We accept returns within 7 days of delivery.
We want you to be obsessed with your new painting. If it doesn’t feel right in your space, you may request a return within 7 days of delivery, as long as it’s returned in the same condition and original packaging. Return shipping is covered by the customer, and the artwork must be packed with great care; damage incurred during return transit may result in a reduced or declined refund. More details HERE
Gift cards are nonrefundable.
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