We offer you this attic discovery of a Portrait of a Nude Woman, Parisian or Italian Academic Studio circa 1880–1900 Oil on canvas Dimensions: Height: 80 cm (31.5 in) Width: 59 cm (23.2 in) Under the golden light of the brush, this woman rises like a silent hymn to natural beauty. Her frank, almost meditative gaze meets that of the viewer with disarming force. The body, half-revealed, seems to emerge from a cloud of molten material, as if the painter, caught up in the momentum of the gesture, had let the painting vibrate on the edge of abstraction. This striking contrast between the anatomical precision of the face and the free, pictorial treatment of the lower part of the painting suggests an experienced artist, in full mastery of his art. This work could well be a fragment of a large painting, or a study intended for a larger project (decorative panel, allegory, mythological scene). It bears the stylistic marks of the teaching of the Beaux-Arts de Paris or the Académie Julian, where masters such as Henri Lehmann, Jules Lefebvre, Gustave Boulanger or Carolus-Duran formed the artistic elite of the time. The label on the back, mentioning “Maison spéciale pour le pastel – 38 rue Vivienne – Dorure Encadrement”, confirms the Parisian provenance of the support. This is a renowned supplier from the end of the 19th century, used by many professional artists. Attribution hypothesis: The expressive force of the face, the sensual rendering of the flesh and the assumed blurring of the peripheral areas evoke the work of Carolus-Duran, some of Gustave Moreau’s students, and even Jean-Jacques Henner in certain studies. Historical value: This painting is part of the golden age of academic painting, a pivotal moment between classical idealism and modern expressiveness. It demonstrates a rare freedom in composition, and could represent a milestone in the stylistic evolution of an important painter, or of a close student of a master. Condition: Some wear and small visible losses (see photos), but the material is stable. Original canvas not transposed. No visible restorations. This work is not signed, it is sold as a French or Italian school, late 19th century, from an academic workshop, given the pictorial quality. If ever a signature or a workshop mark is revealed under the dirt or by expertise, the price could soar. Artistic movement: French school Authenticity: Original put up for sale by the artist Theme: Portrait, Self-portrait Genre: Academicism Characteristics: On canvas Type: Oil