A striking 17th-century French School oil on canvas.

This portrait of a noblewoman, adorned in clothing and accessories that showcase her wealth and status, exemplifies the French aristocracy’s proud desire to eternalize their private effigies. The painting depicts a noblewoman, haughty and elegant in both expression and attire. She is draped in an ocherous cape, loosely hanging over her left shoulder and partially wrapped around her upper body. Her hair and dress are adorned with four rows of pearls, complemented by a thick leather strap decorated with numerous pearls and a large, eye-catching brooch at the center.

Her right hand, gently resting her index finger on the edge of a flower basket, adds a calm yet elegant touch to her overall posture. The freshly picked flowers bring an extra burst of color to the painting. The static gold-plated frame further enhances the portrait’s commanding presence.

The meticulous rendering of the fabrics, the elegant and flattering execution, and the softness of the model’s expression make this portrait a true eye-catcher.

‘School’

French school, Dutch school, Italian school and so much more. The word ‘school’ is used with various meanings and often to describe a certain type of painting style.

In its narrowest sense, the word ‘school’ can denote a group of painters who worked under de influence of another artist. A great example is the ‘school of Leonardo da Vinci’ were a large group of artists worked in the studio of, or under the influence of, Leonardo da Vinci. They are also known as ‘The Leonardeschi’.

In its widest sense, the word ‘school’ can denote a whole country of painters and describe a typical style which reflects the painters of that country. An example is ‘Italian school’ or ‘French school’. In another sense, the word ‘school’ can also denote a certain region of a country. The ‘Venetian school’ applies to painters who worked under local influence or with general similarities in color or technique. Famous examples of ‘Venetian school’ artists are Lazzaro Bastiani (1430-1512), Giovanni Bellini (1430 – 1516) and Giulio Campi (1500-1572).