Portrait of a nude woman - Oil on canvas, French academic school circa 1880-1900

Here is a work of rare intensity, capturing the face and torso of a woman of sculptural beauty, in a treatment worthy of the greatest academic workshops of the late 19th century. This oil on canvas, with its delicate modeling of face and flesh, bears witness to a sure, lively and inspired brushstroke.
The frank, almost inhabited gaze questions that of the viewer, in a pose that evokes the freedom of an interrupted gesture or the inner contemplation of a model. The arms are barely hinted at, and the composition deliberately fades into a raw, vibrant pictorial material, reinforcing the painting's modernity.
The contrast between the precision of the portrait and the pictorial spontaneity of the lower body suggests the boldness of an experienced painter, no doubt trained in the prestigious circles of the Beaux-Arts in Paris or a leading Italian academy. One thinks of the studios of Carolus-Duran, Jules Lefebvre or Jean-Jacques Henner, or even a gifted pupil of Gustave Moreau.
This painting could be a fragment of a larger project, a study for a mythological or symbolist scene, or a stand-alone work focusing on the model's psyche. The Paris art dealer's label on the back supports this historical provenance and adds to the painting's interest.

An investment in taste and heritage:

A powerful decorative piece for an interior blending the old and the contemporary.

A collector's item for lovers of academic art and female portraits.

A rare testimony to a pivotal moment between classicism and modernity.

Potential for attribution or rediscovery by a knowledgeable expert or collector.


Dimensions :
Height : 80 cm
Width : 59 cm
(31.5 x 23.2 inches)
Material : Original oil on canvas
Provenance: Paris, late 19th century
Mention on the back: "Maison spéciale pour le pastel - 38 rue Vivienne - Dorure, encadrement" ("Special house for pastels - 38 rue Vivienne - Gilding, framing")
Condition: Some minor wear, consistent with age. Stable canvas, not transposed. Unsigned.

Ref: R26F5IA9DZ