Spanish school, 19th century.

Spanish School, 19th century.
“Portrait of a Lady.”
Oil on panel.
It shows superficial cracking and wear typical of its age.
Measurements: 31 × 26 cm; 46 × 42 cm (frame).

The work follows the tradition of 19th-century bourgeois portraiture. The lady is depicted seated next to a table on which rest a book and a letter—elements that enrich the depiction and may allude to her education or her private life.

The face, softly illuminated against a dark background, draws the viewer’s attention within the composition. The green dress, enlivened by the transparency of the wide lace collar, adds chromatic richness to an image of a restrained and solemn character. The relaxed posture of her hands and her direct gaze, however, introduce a psychological intimacy characteristic of the Romantic portrait.