Gabriel Durand

GABRIEL DURAND (Toulouse, 1812-1882).
"Young lady", 1854.
Pastel on paper.
Signed and dated on the right side.
Measurements: 64 x 54 cm; 80 x 69 cm (frame).

The portrait now on offer shows a modest and self-absorbed young woman who, in a gesture of surprise or demure, partially covers her bare shoulders with her hands. The pallor of her skin contrasts delicately with the blush of her cheeks, accentuating the expressiveness of the scene. Her abundant hair reveals a red ribbon that introduces a vibrant note within a composition dominated by soft pastel tones and subdued hues. Due to its formal features and aesthetic sensibility, the work can be clearly ascribed to the field of 19th century French painting. In this case, it is a creation of Gabriel Durand, an artist of whom, despite the quality of his production, hardly any biographical information is preserved.