Ferdinand Humbert (1842–1934) – “La Dame au Coffret”

Ferdinand Humbert (1842–1934) – “La Dame au Coffret”, Portrait of a Polish Lady, 1882

Oil on canvas, oval format. Signed and dated lower right “F. Humbert 82”.
A fine Parisian salon portrait by Ferdinand Humbert, member of the Institut and Commander of the Legion of Honour. The young woman is shown half-length, turning towards the viewer, wearing a large black plumed hat with a red flower, an off-the-shoulder white lace gown, a necklace with a gold pendant and drop earrings. The face is delicately modelled, while the dress is painted with lively, impasted brushwork typical of the artist’s portrait style.

Provenance and documentation: An old handwritten label on the stretcher states that the painting was executed in 1882 and is known as “La Dame au Coffret”. The sitter was a Polish lady. According to the label, Humbert painted two versions: a life-size portrait with the lady holding a casket, said to be in Kansas City, USA, and this bust-length version, which kept the title. This information was given by André Humbert, the artist’s son and himself a painter.

About the artist: Ferdinand Humbert, born in Paris, studied under Cabanel, Picot and Fromentin. He won Salon medals in 1866, 1867 and 1869, became a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1902, and painted murals for the Panthéon and the Petit Palais. He was a highly sought-after society portraitist; his portrait of the young Colette is among his best known works.

Frame: Period oval giltwood and gesso frame with acanthus decoration and an “F. HUMBERT” name plaque.

Dimensions: Canvas approx. 43 × 35 cm; frame approx. 63 × 55 cm.

Condition: Good overall condition, consistent with age. Minor losses and a small crack to the frame.