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A fine three-quarter length portrait of a young Breton woman standing in a wooded landscape, depicted in profile gazing to the left. The sitter is dressed in traditional peasant costume, comprising a dark bodice with white fichu and apron, striped skirt, and a white coiffe. She stands amongst ferns and undergrowth, with trees framing the background. In 19th-century rural Brittany, there were no banks for ordinary people. Jewellery functioned as portable wealth. The woman's necklace, bracelet and earrings were essentially her savings worn on her body.
The work is characteristically painted with warm tonal harmony and careful attention to costume detail. Housed in a substantial decorative gilt frame with elaborate running patterns. Signed lower right and dated 1883. On canvas.
Condition
The artwork exhibits signs of wear consistent with age. Several previous tears to the canvas have been fully restored. The canvas has been relined. Inspection under UV light reveals areas of restoration and retouching. The frame has minor surface wear, including small chips, scuffs, and stable cracking. There is a large loss to the lower left-hand corner of the frame (side edge). Overall, the artwork presents in very good condition for its age.
Size
87 x 64.5cm (34.3" x 25.4")Framed Size: 118 x 95.5cm (46.5" x 37.6")
Artist Biography
George Wells (fl. 1842–1888) was a Victorian-era British painter known for genre, portrait, and landscape works. Based in London and Bristol, he was a prolific academic artist who regularly exhibited at major British institutions throughout the 19th century.
