Scuola lombarda (XVIII) - Ritratto di dama con cagnolino e rosa

18th-century Lombard painter
Portrait of a gentlewoman with a small dog and a rose
Oil on canvas, 96 x 71 cm – With frame, 115 x 90 cm

Refined expression of court portraiture and of the high Lombard aristocracy of the eighteenth century, this work depicts a noblewoman presented in three-quarter view, oriented three-quarters to the observer, with a serene and confident gaze directed toward the observer. The figure emerges from a dark, neutral background that enhances the preciousness of the garments and the delicacy of the complexion, built according to the aesthetic canons of the eighteenth century. The lady wears a sumptuous gala dress in deep blue velvet, enriched by a wide neckline framed by a refined bobbin lace and adorned with embroidered details along the seams of the bodice. On the shoulders rests an elegant draped mantle in vivid red, lined with damask fabric featuring floral motifs. The hairstyle, gathered and powdered according to the fashion of the era, is surmounted by a delicate lace and feather structure with pearls, from which a soft strand of hair falls naturally onto the left shoulder.

Iconographic and symbolic aspects: the composition is enriched by two elements of strong communicative value: the rose in bloom, delicately held in the right hand at chest height, a traditional attribute of youth, grace, and beauty; and the small companion dog (resembling a lapdog such as the épagneul or papillon), lovingly held in the left arm, a historical symbol of fidelity, devotion, and domestic virtue.

From a stylistic point of view, the painting technique combines the solemnity of a representative portrait with an Arcadian and Rococo taste. The meticulous rendering of the laces, the chromatic reflections of the fabrics, and the delicacy with which the animal’s coat is depicted directly recall Lombard figurative culture of the mid-eighteenth century, attentive to descriptive realism but always aimed at restoring the grace and social prestige of the portrayed one.

The frame is supplied as a gift, therefore it cannot be a reason for return or complaint.

For paintings purchased abroad: after payment, the procedure to obtain the export license (ALC) will be started. All antique pieces sent abroad from Italy require this document, issued by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. The procedure could take 3 to 5 weeks from the request, so as soon as we have the document the painting will be shipped.