Other Prints · 19th century
€ 340
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Very good condition with vibrant hand-coloring. Some light toning to margins consistent with age. Wide borders, blank verso, strong impression.
Hand-Colored Engraving of Agnès Sorel, Mistress of Charles VII, ca. 1900 edition
This hand-colored engraving depicts Agnès Sorel (1422–1450), famously known as the first official mistress of a French king. Born in 1409, she rose to prominence as the favorite of Charles VII of France, and her influence at court was significant. Known as La Dame de Beauté, she set fashions that shocked and delighted contemporaries, including the daring low-cut gowns that became emblematic of her style.
The print shows Sorel in a luxurious blue gown trimmed with fur, with a fitted waist emphasized by a gold belt. Her neckline reveals a glimpse of crimson, and she wears an elaborate necklace and headdress. Most striking is her tall, trailing hennin, richly patterned in black with gilt-like designs, which extends far down her back in a long veil. This headpiece symbolizes both her high rank and her role in shaping French courtly fashion in the mid-15th century.
The engraving originates from Galerie Française de Femmes Célèbres (Paris, 1827), drawn by Louis-Marie Lanté and engraved by Georges Jacques Gatine. The present impression is a ca. 1900 reprint, when renewed interest in French history and costume studies brought these celebrated portraits back into circulation.
Condition report: Very good condition with vibrant hand-coloring. Some light toning to margins consistent with age. Wide borders, blank verso, strong impression.
Framing tips: A refined presentation would use a gold or dark wood frame with a soft cream mount. A thin crimson or deep blue inner border would echo the gown and add depth, making this striking portrait of Agnès Sorel a commanding display piece.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving (later impression, ca. 1900)
Maker: After Louis-Marie Lanté (artist) and Georges Jacques Gatine (engraver), Paris, 1827
