Young Lady of the Time of Francis I – Handcolored Engraving, ca. 1900
€ 310
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1900
Mapmaker / artist
Georges Jacques Gatine after Louis Marie Lanté, reprint Paris, ca. 1900
Technique
Handcolored engraving
Sheet size
33.5 × 25 cm (13.2 × 9.8 in)
Reference
BG-13158-40
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good. Light toning and faint spotting in margins, not affecting the image. Strong impression with well-preserved hand coloring. Blank verso.
About this sheet
Young Lady of the Time of Francis I – Handcolored Engraving, ca. 1900
Delicate handcolored engraving of a French young lady from the reign of King Francis I (1494–1547). She is elegantly dressed in a violet gown with long flowing skirts and wide sleeves, draped with a dark mantle lined in pale blue. Her attire is completed with a pearl belt and a French hood adorned with jewels. She holds a fan made of peacock feathers in one hand and a lace handkerchief in the other, accessories that underline her refined social status.
The caption reads: Jeune Personne du Temps de François Ier, placing her in the early 16th century, an era famous for its flourishing Renaissance culture, courtly elegance, and distinctive French fashions.
This engraving is a ca. 1900 reprint after the celebrated series Galerie Française de Femmes Célèbres, first published in Paris in 1827. Designed by Louis Marie Lanté and engraved by Georges Jacques Gatine, the series drew from antiquarian costume sources collected by Roger de Gaignières, who meticulously documented noble and courtly attire.
The graceful stance, soft hand coloring, and luxurious depiction of fabric make this an appealing print both as a decorative piece and as a valuable costume reference.
Framing tips: A wide cream mount will emphasize the delicacy of the fan and lace details, while a gilt frame will highlight the violet gown. A dark wood frame could also provide a dramatic contrast, bringing out the richness of the Renaissance style.
