Brave Fine Art

Description

A fine early 20th-century portrait of a lady by French artist, Edgar Boutry (1857-1939). She’s dressed in a highly fashionable black frilly blouse, embellished with a silver brooch, and a puffy black skirt worn above the hip. She also wears a light blue neck ribbon and two around her cuffs.

The early 1900s were known for their lavish excesses, opulent elegance and strict social rules. Within high society, taste was regarded as an important attribute as it helped to shape your own destiny and, in turn, the fortunes of your family.

As such, wealthy women dressed to impress in expensive fabrics such as silk, satin, damask and chiffon - often embroidered with ornate patterns and topped off with eye-catching headwear. With regards to hairstyles, as we see here, the main emphasis was to create a supportive base for a wide-brimmed hat. Women also tended to use hot curling irons to add a little flair.

This fine society lady sat for Edgar Boutry in 1909 - perhaps to celebrate her wedding given the prominence of her rings. At the time, Boutry was primarily known as a sculptor having created many fine bronzes, particularly in Northern France, so it’s interesting to consider how the two were introduced. His portraits are quite scarce so maybe he knew the lady (or her family) personally.

Boutry studied at the Lille Academic Schools and with Jules Cavelier at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He produced several statues in his hometown of Lille and his work is also housed in various public collections.

The portrait is signed/dated in the upper left.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 27½” x 36½” / 73cm x 93cm
Year of creation: 1909
Provenance: France
Condition: Very presentable. Canvas relined. Areas of professional restoration. Light craquelure but the paint layer is stable.
Brave Fine Art is a boutique art dealership based in the picturesque Malvern Hills, England. Established in 2017, our clients include private collectors and interiors designers throughout the UK, USA and Canada.

We tend to focus on decorative art that captures the imagination - from monumental 17th-century portraits through to characterful vintage landscapes. Every piece in the collection has an interesting story to tell and we work hard to discover the hidden history behind each one.

You may have seen us mentioned in popular magazines such as Vogue, Livingetc and Homes & Gardens. It’s always exciting to spot a piece we recognise in a beautiful home or place of work.

Do feel free to contact us as we’re always happy to share further information. We also offer a finding service if you’re working on a project for a client or need that special piece for your home.