Portrait of a Lady with Flowing Mantle and High Hairstyle with Ribbon.

Portrait of a Lady with Flowing Mantle and High Hairstyle with Ribbon.

Date: Circa 1710-15.

Technique: Oil on canvas.

Dimensions: 73 cm x 62 cm.

Description:
This oval portrait depicts a refined lady with a high, voluminous hairstyle, typical of early 18th-century fashion. Her hair is adorned with a red ribbon, delicately woven into the curls. The lady wears a heavy, theatrical mantle that appears to be billowing in the wind, emphasizing the baroque taste for movement. The vibrant red mantle is adorned with gold ribbons that elegantly intertwine along the bodice, highlighting the richness of the fabrics and the sitter’s high social status.

Condition:
The painting has been restored, preserving much of the original paint with some retouches. Overall, the work is in good condition, with minimal signs of wear.

Style, Attribution, and Historical Context:
The portrait belongs to the French baroque style, characterized by a formal approach typical of court portraiture. The elaborate high hairstyle with red ribbons and the use of rich, voluminous fabrics suggest a connection to the French aristocracy in the early 18th century, during the reign of Louis XIV or the Regency of Philippe d'Orléans. The complex hairstyles of the time were symbols of elevated social status, and the wind-swept mantle reflects a theatrical taste associated with nobility and power.