“The Young Equestrienne” and “The Young Girl with a Hat”
Constant-Joseph Brochart · Signed and dated
France, 1870
This charming pair of pastels forms a perfect pendant, brilliantly illustrating the talent of the 19th-century portraitist Constant-Joseph Brochart. A specialist in ethereal, idealized female figures, the artist here yields to the Neo-Rococo taste that so captivated the bourgeoisie of the Second Empire, drawing inspiration from the elegance of the century of Watteau and Fragonard. “The Young Equestrienne”, captured in three-quarter view, directs a gentle yet poised gaze toward the viewer. She is dressed in an elegant fantasy costume comprising a satin-sheen white jacket with silvery highlights, cinched with a broad coral sash. The ample lace collar, evoking the 17th century, and the grey felt hat embellished with ostrich feathers frame a face of porcelain complexion. In her right hand, she delicately holds a riding crop, lending a touch of playfulness to the composition. In perfect dialogue with the first pastel, “The Young Girl with a Hat” depicts a young woman in an 18th-century-inspired attire. She wears a sumptuous blue gown richly embroidered with golden motifs and accented with ruffled lace cuffs. Her candid countenance is enhanced by a delightful woven straw hat adorned with a garland of roses. The rendering of the fabrics is remarkable, playing on the sheer quality of muslin and the opulence of embroidered silk. In her arms she cradles a small dog, a traditional symbol of fidelity and affection. In this pair, Brochart demonstrates his consummate mastery of pastel—his medium of choice for rendering the softness of skin and the lightness of drapery. Skillfully directed light caresses the faces of the two elegant figures, allowing the colors to sing.
20 500 €
- Artist / Maker
- Constant-Joseph Brochart · Signed and dated
- Dated
- 1870
- Origin
- France
Dimensions
- Without frame - Height : 17.7 in(45 cm)
- Width : 12.4 in(31.5 cm)
- With frame - Height : 29.1 in(74 cm)
- Width : 22 in(56 cm)
Technique / Materials
- Pastel on paper
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