French 19 Century Portrait of a Scholar, Poet or a Writer Holding a Pen

French 19 Century Portrait of a Scholar, Poet or a Writer Holding a Pen$7,500.00 An exceptionally well executed unsigned French Empire social portrait of a gentleman dressed in a black frock and white shirt, holding a pen. In the 19th century, social portraits, as this genre was called, were used to highlight the sitter’s status, literacy, and contributions to society, and holding a pen generally implied that the sitter was a writer, poet, scholar, or high-ranking administrator. Such a portrait had a specific purpose – to perpetuate the image of a person who has earned honor and respect for his useful activity (doctors, military, judges, merchants, historical figures) or virtuous life (clergymen, preachers, mothers of families with children), which was important both for the family and in the eyes of society as a whole. Diensions: 29″W X 35″H French 19 Century Portrait of a Scholar, Poet or a Writer Holding a Pen quantity Add to cart Category: Paintings Request an Appointment to View