(QR684) The antique paintings category proposes a beautiful portrait of a woman, an elegant lady reading an old book, oil painting on panel, from the 19th century. This is a high-quality antique portrait, of a woman standing and reading an old book in a 19th-century setting. The antique work is signed lower right C. Pecrus, a French painter of genre painting, portraits, animals, landscapes, and seascapes. Charles François Pécrus (1826–1907), a French painter, was born in Limoges but moved to Paris where he worked in the Études des Ponts-et-Chaussées. He then continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts and had as teachers Eugène Fichel and Javet. He began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français from 1857 until 1905, where he was highly appreciated for his works with genre scenes and for his female portraits. In 1865, the work "Le lendemain des noces" - The day after the wedding - was purchased by Emperor Napoleon III. He frequented important artists such as Narcisse-Diaz de la Peña of the Barbizon movement, became friends with Eugène Boudin, and with Jongkind and Alfred Stevens. From 1885 he dedicated himself almost completely to free Impressionist painting. Some paintings by this painter are found in various French museums: Musée d'Orsay, Musée de Limoges, Musée de Reims, Musee de Cherbourg, Musée de Honfleur. The antique painting is framed with a gilded frame in pure gold leaf from the 19th century. French Antiques. The frame and oil painting have been carefully and professionally restored. YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/CkfO2z00BUk Bibliography: E. Bénézit. Dictionnaire Des Peintres Sculptures Dessinateurs et Graveurs www.bisgart.com Bisgart Collection *** Panel size: 27 x 17.5 cm Size with frame: 55.5 x 46.5 cm Depth: 10.5 cm Weight: 6 kg Restored Painting | French Origin | Nineteenth Century | Antiques | Antique Paintings | Portrait of an Elegant Lady