Young Lady with a Parasol
Painting on canvas • Attributed to Henri Guillaume Schlesinger (1814-1893)
Style & Movement
Belle Époque / Academic Realism with Impressionist influence
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing academic realism with loose, impressionistic brushwork in the foliage and dress ruffles, and fine glazing for skin tones
Creation Period
Circa 1875-1885
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 100 x 60 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A full-length portrait of a young woman in high-society attire, wearing a pale lavender or pink bustle dress with lace ruffles. She holds a blue parasol and stands on a garden path next to blooming red geraniums. The composition emphasizes elegance and the leisure of the upper class.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the painting shows stable craquelure and minor yellowing of the varnish consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $18,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private European collection; the ornate gilded frame suggests a 19th-century gallery or high-end domestic setting.
Art Historical Significance
Schlesinger was known for his depictions of elegant women and interior scenes. This work is significant for its capture of 19th-century fashion and the transitional style between strict academicism and the emerging light-focused Impressionist movement.
Notable Features
Distinctive contrast between the soft rendering of the blue parasol and the detailed texture of the lace ruffles; likely contains a faint signature/monogram in the lower left corner area.
Condition Issues
Fine surface craquelure throughout; slight darkening of the pigment in the background foliage; possible minor canvas slackness.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh; maintain in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment fading.