Manner of Jean Siméon Chardin

Young Woman with a Letter

oil on canvas, 24" x 18.5"

extended canvas measuring 27.4" x 20.5"

manner of Jean Siméon Chardin (1699 - 1779)

This oil recently came up at auction, fresh from the estate of Karl Lunde (1931 - 2009), a noted art historian and professor emeritus at William Paterson University. According to a source, Professor Lund had this painting hung in his home in Manhattan. The canvas dates to the mid eighteenth century and was apparently lined in the fourth quarter of the nineteenth century, when it was presented as an oval with extended edges for framing.

There are numerous labels and notations on the reverse that may provide clues to the artist and the provenance. While the style is certainly consistent with Chardin's figurative work, it may actually be by the hand of one of his followers, many of which are important in their own right. As is the case with most of the entries in my art research blog, more research is necessary.

Reverse of Young Woman with a Letter