Young Woman in Mourning (After The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame)
Reproduction on ceramic tile • After Georges de La Tour (Original 17th-century artist)
Style & Movement
Baroque Revival / Tenebrism
Medium & Technique
Transfer print or hand-painted enamel on glazed ceramic tile
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1880-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 4x4 or 6x6 inches; square tile format in a gilded frame
Subject Description
A contemplative young woman in mourning attire seated at a table covered in a red cloth, illuminated by a single candle. She holds a small object, likely a book or letter. The composition is a variation of the Mary Magdalene mourning themes popular in the 17th century, emphasizing stillness and candlelight.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing some surface wear and age-related grime
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Likely a decorative object produced for the European or American gift market; part of the popular revival of Old Master imagery in the Victorian/Edwardian eras.
Art Historical Significance
A decorative homage to the 17th-century French master Georges de La Tour. While not an original work of art, it demonstrates the enduring popularity of Tenebrist lighting and Caravaggesque themes in later decorative arts.
Notable Features
Housed in a decorative gilt revival frame with beaded and fluted detailing; the use of ceramic as a substrate provides a luminous quality to the candlelight depicted.
Condition Issues
Minor surface scratches on the glaze, light oxidation or wear to the gilded frame, and potential fine crazing in the ceramic glaze.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a dry environment to prevent frame expansion; clean ceramic surface only with a soft, dry cloth; do not use abrasive cleaners.