Figures & Portraits · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Excellent condition with vivid hand-coloring and clear detail. Light toning consistent with age, blank verso, and a well-defined platemark visible in the sheet.
Hand-Colored Engraving of a Lady of the Court of François I, ca. 1900 edition
This elegant hand-colored engraving depicts a lady of the court of King François I of France (reigned 1515–1547), highlighting the grandeur and refinement of French Renaissance court fashion. The sitter is portrayed in a sumptuous red gown richly ornamented with gold trim and a white underskirt, embroidered with geometric motifs and decorated with jewels. The puffed sleeves, slashed to reveal voluminous white silk lining, emphasize the luxury of textiles that characterized early 16th-century aristocratic attire. Around her waist falls a jeweled girdle, completing the image of wealth and refinement.
The portrait belongs to the renowned series Galerie Française de Femmes Célèbres (Paris, 1827), drawn by Louis-Marie Lanté and engraved by Georges Jacques Gatine, which illustrated the costumes and likenesses of celebrated French women and court figures across history. The engraving offered here is a later impression from circa 1900, reflecting the period’s continued fascination with historical costume and French Renaissance splendor.
King François I’s court was a vibrant cultural center, attracting artists like Leonardo da Vinci and supporting the flourishing of Renaissance humanism in France. This engraving captures the elegance of his courtiers, whose fashion mirrored the monarch’s power and the grandeur of his reign.
Condition report: Excellent condition with vivid hand-coloring and clear detail. Light toning consistent with age, blank verso, and a well-defined platemark visible in the sheet.
Framing tips: This work would be beautifully presented in a Renaissance revival gilt frame with a soft cream or ivory mat to complement the warm tones of the gown. Alternatively, a dark wood frame with subtle gold accents will enhance the red of the dress and give a refined, historic appearance.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving (later edition, ca. 1900)
Maker: After Louis-Marie Lanté (artist) and Georges Jacques Gatine (engraver), Paris, 1827
