A version of the portrait in a photograph showing it signed and dated 1897.
This picture, which reappeared at auction in Lyon, France in 2024, from the auction house photograph seems to be much damaged. There is evidence of a hole, and some considerable scorching on the right hand side (which suggests it has been in a fire) and rather a lot of darkened overpaint and discoloured varnish. The photograph in the artist’s papers though in black and white, indicates that the dress was shimmering satin and the whole much fresher in feeling.
The possibility may be suggested that the sitter is French or had married a Frenchman, as her gold wedding band is clearly depicted on her left hand, and though the date below the signature (which may have been strengthened by a botched later restoration) is difficult to read but the old photograph clearly shows the picture was signed and dated lower right 1897. Are there two versions of the same picture?
