Pair of Antique French Pastel Portraits of a Military Officer and Young Woman, Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, Attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883)
Pair of Antique French Pastel Portraits of a Military Officer and Young Woman, Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, Attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883)
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Item Title: Pair of Antique French Pastel Portraits of a Military Officer & Young Woman, Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, Attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883), Circa 1840–1860, Ornate Gilt Oval Frames
Additional Description
An exceptionally charming pair of 19th-century French pastel portraits depicting a distinguished young military officer and an elegantly dressed young woman, both bearing signatures appearing to read E. Binet de Quéhélec, attributable to the French artist Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883).
The portraits are beautifully executed in soft pastels, demonstrating delicate attention to facial features, costume, and expression.
The gentleman is depicted in a dark military uniform with gold buttons, fringed epaulettes, an embroidered standing collar bearing an eagle-like insignia, and an ornamental belt. His neatly arranged brown hair, pale blue eyes, fine mustache, and pointed beard exemplify the fashionable appearance of a young European officer during the mid-19th century.
His expression is composed and confident, with the artist employing subtle shading around the eyes and cheeks to create a striking sense of individuality.
His companion is portrayed seated in a richly upholstered chair, wearing an elegant white off-the-shoulder gown embellished with delicate lace and a beautiful pink rose corsage.
Her brown hair is arranged in fashionable side ringlets and braids, framing her softly rendered face. Her blue-gray eyes, gently flushed cheeks, and understated expression create an especially romantic likeness.
Both portraits feature the artist's distinctive approach to background treatment: warm peach tones surrounding the figures, with expressive blue-gray pastel strokes creating an almost luminous backdrop.
The portraits are housed in substantial oval gilt frames featuring elegant ribbon-bow crests, decorative ruffled borders, and fine ornamental inner moldings. Pale blue-gray oval mats further accentuate the softness and sophistication of the compositions.
Together, the portraits create an evocative presentation of mid-19th-century French portraiture, embodying the romantic elegance and refinement of the period.
Era
Circa 1840–1860, French Romantic period.
The dating is supported by the subjects' fashionable hairstyles, clothing, and the gentleman's military uniform, as well as the documented artistic activity of Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec during the mid-19th century.
The woman's side ringlets and off-the-shoulder gown are particularly characteristic of the 1840s and early 1850s.
The gentleman's dark military tunic, high standing collar, epaulettes, and narrow facial hair are also consistent with the general fashions of this period.
The exact dates of execution have not been established.
History
The Artist: Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883)
Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec was a French artist associated with portrait miniature painting and religious art during the 19th century.
She came from a family with artistic and intellectual connections. Her father, Paul René Binet, was a mathematics professor in Rennes and Paris, while her grandfather was an architect associated with Rennes Cathedral.
Her mother's family was connected to the de Quéhélec name, which Élisa Pauline incorporated into her own artistic identity.
She studied under the celebrated French portrait miniaturist François Meuret.
A miniature attributed to her, Girl with a Cat, circa 1850, is preserved in the Tansey Miniatures Foundation collection. The Foundation notes that relatively few of her miniatures are known, making her an interesting and comparatively underdocumented artist.
The Tansey Miniatures Foundation
Importantly, her known artistic production also includes larger pastel portraits.
In February 2026, a pair of signed pastel portraits attributed to her was offered by the French auction house Osenat. This establishes a particularly relevant comparison for the present pair.
Lot 346+1
The Gentleman: A French Military Officer
The male portrait depicts a young gentleman wearing a formal military uniform characteristic of the mid-19th century.
His dark jacket features a high collar bearing embroidered gold insignia resembling an eagle or other stylized military emblem, with gold buttons and epaulettes.
These features suggest that the sitter held a commissioned military position, although his exact regiment and rank cannot presently be determined.
The combination of his uniform, hairstyle, and facial hair suggests a portrait created during or near the July Monarchy or early Second Empire period in France.
Further research into the insignia could potentially reveal the branch of military service.
The Lady: Romantic-Era French Fashion
The accompanying female portrait provides an equally compelling example of fashionable European dress in the mid-19th century.
Her gown features a wide, off-the-shoulder neckline trimmed with delicate lace, while a pink rose corsage adds a romantic decorative flourish.
Her hair is arranged in carefully formed side ringlets, a style popular among fashionable women during the 1830s and 1840s, with related versions continuing into the following decade.
The relaxed seated composition, gentle coloring, and attention to the sitter's expression reflect the intimate character of commissioned portraiture during the Romantic period.
Although the pair may depict a husband and wife, their relationship has not been documented.
Provenance
French School, 19th century.
Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883).
Acquired from Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas.
The auction house described the works as a pair of signed portraits of a uniformed gentleman and a lady, with the signature provisionally transcribed as “E. Binet de Zuebeleg?”
Bidsquare
The identification of the artist as Binet de Quéhélec is supported by published documentation of an artist with that name and by auction records of other pastel portraits attributed to her.
Previous ownership and the identities of the sitters remain unknown.
Materials
- Original pastel or mixed dry-media portrait drawings, apparently on paper.
- Black, white, gray, peach, pink, blue, and gold-toned pigments.
- Large oval gilt-finish wood and composition frames.
- Decorative ribbon-bow crests and raised ornamental detailing.
- Pale blue-gray window mats with gilt oval accents.
- Glazing.
- Backing board, paper, and later securing materials.
- Hanging wire.
The medium was cataloged by the auction house as oil pastel; physical inspection would be necessary to distinguish oil pastel from conventional soft pastel or mixed media.
Dimensions
Based on the Austin Auction Gallery catalog description:
Each portrait:
- Sight: approximately 21" H × 17" W.
- Overall framed: approximately 31.5" H × 23.5" W.
Combined listed weight: approximately 22 lbs.
Condition / Disclaimers
Both portraits appear to retain strong original coloring and fine detail, particularly within the sitters' facial features and clothing.
The pastel surfaces display visible age-related toning, scattered discoloration, and possible minor surface irregularities.
The gilt frames exhibit age-related rubbing, patination, and scattered losses to the decorative finish.
The ribbon-bow crests remain present and contribute significantly to the decorative appearance of the pair.
The reverse of the photographed female portrait displays aging and deterioration to its backing materials, together with later applied tape and hanging wire.
The works have not been examined outside their frames. The condition of the underlying paper, any historic restoration, and the originality of all framing components cannot therefore be confirmed.
Portraits are offered as signed and attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec; formal attribution has not been independently authenticated.
Sold with age-related wear and imperfections consistent with antique works on paper.
Item Title: Pair of Antique French Pastel Portraits of a Military Officer & Young Woman, Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, Attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883), Circa 1840–1860, Ornate Gilt Oval Frames
Additional Description
An exceptionally charming pair of 19th-century French pastel portraits depicting a distinguished young military officer and an elegantly dressed young woman, both bearing signatures appearing to read E. Binet de Quéhélec, attributable to the French artist Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883).
The portraits are beautifully executed in soft pastels, demonstrating delicate attention to facial features, costume, and expression.
The gentleman is depicted in a dark military uniform with gold buttons, fringed epaulettes, an embroidered standing collar bearing an eagle-like insignia, and an ornamental belt. His neatly arranged brown hair, pale blue eyes, fine mustache, and pointed beard exemplify the fashionable appearance of a young European officer during the mid-19th century.
His expression is composed and confident, with the artist employing subtle shading around the eyes and cheeks to create a striking sense of individuality.
His companion is portrayed seated in a richly upholstered chair, wearing an elegant white off-the-shoulder gown embellished with delicate lace and a beautiful pink rose corsage.
Her brown hair is arranged in fashionable side ringlets and braids, framing her softly rendered face. Her blue-gray eyes, gently flushed cheeks, and understated expression create an especially romantic likeness.
Both portraits feature the artist's distinctive approach to background treatment: warm peach tones surrounding the figures, with expressive blue-gray pastel strokes creating an almost luminous backdrop.
The portraits are housed in substantial oval gilt frames featuring elegant ribbon-bow crests, decorative ruffled borders, and fine ornamental inner moldings. Pale blue-gray oval mats further accentuate the softness and sophistication of the compositions.
Together, the portraits create an evocative presentation of mid-19th-century French portraiture, embodying the romantic elegance and refinement of the period.
Era
Circa 1840–1860, French Romantic period.
The dating is supported by the subjects' fashionable hairstyles, clothing, and the gentleman's military uniform, as well as the documented artistic activity of Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec during the mid-19th century.
The woman's side ringlets and off-the-shoulder gown are particularly characteristic of the 1840s and early 1850s.
The gentleman's dark military tunic, high standing collar, epaulettes, and narrow facial hair are also consistent with the general fashions of this period.
The exact dates of execution have not been established.
History
The Artist: Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883)
Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec was a French artist associated with portrait miniature painting and religious art during the 19th century.
She came from a family with artistic and intellectual connections. Her father, Paul René Binet, was a mathematics professor in Rennes and Paris, while her grandfather was an architect associated with Rennes Cathedral.
Her mother's family was connected to the de Quéhélec name, which Élisa Pauline incorporated into her own artistic identity.
She studied under the celebrated French portrait miniaturist François Meuret.
A miniature attributed to her, Girl with a Cat, circa 1850, is preserved in the Tansey Miniatures Foundation collection. The Foundation notes that relatively few of her miniatures are known, making her an interesting and comparatively underdocumented artist.
The Tansey Miniatures Foundation
Importantly, her known artistic production also includes larger pastel portraits.
In February 2026, a pair of signed pastel portraits attributed to her was offered by the French auction house Osenat. This establishes a particularly relevant comparison for the present pair.
Lot 346+1
The Gentleman: A French Military Officer
The male portrait depicts a young gentleman wearing a formal military uniform characteristic of the mid-19th century.
His dark jacket features a high collar bearing embroidered gold insignia resembling an eagle or other stylized military emblem, with gold buttons and epaulettes.
These features suggest that the sitter held a commissioned military position, although his exact regiment and rank cannot presently be determined.
The combination of his uniform, hairstyle, and facial hair suggests a portrait created during or near the July Monarchy or early Second Empire period in France.
Further research into the insignia could potentially reveal the branch of military service.
The Lady: Romantic-Era French Fashion
The accompanying female portrait provides an equally compelling example of fashionable European dress in the mid-19th century.
Her gown features a wide, off-the-shoulder neckline trimmed with delicate lace, while a pink rose corsage adds a romantic decorative flourish.
Her hair is arranged in carefully formed side ringlets, a style popular among fashionable women during the 1830s and 1840s, with related versions continuing into the following decade.
The relaxed seated composition, gentle coloring, and attention to the sitter's expression reflect the intimate character of commissioned portraiture during the Romantic period.
Although the pair may depict a husband and wife, their relationship has not been documented.
Provenance
French School, 19th century.
Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883).
Acquired from Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas.
The auction house described the works as a pair of signed portraits of a uniformed gentleman and a lady, with the signature provisionally transcribed as “E. Binet de Zuebeleg?”
Bidsquare
The identification of the artist as Binet de Quéhélec is supported by published documentation of an artist with that name and by auction records of other pastel portraits attributed to her.
Previous ownership and the identities of the sitters remain unknown.
Materials
- Original pastel or mixed dry-media portrait drawings, apparently on paper.
- Black, white, gray, peach, pink, blue, and gold-toned pigments.
- Large oval gilt-finish wood and composition frames.
- Decorative ribbon-bow crests and raised ornamental detailing.
- Pale blue-gray window mats with gilt oval accents.
- Glazing.
- Backing board, paper, and later securing materials.
- Hanging wire.
The medium was cataloged by the auction house as oil pastel; physical inspection would be necessary to distinguish oil pastel from conventional soft pastel or mixed media.
Dimensions
Based on the Austin Auction Gallery catalog description:
Each portrait:
- Sight: approximately 21" H × 17" W.
- Overall framed: approximately 31.5" H × 23.5" W.
Combined listed weight: approximately 22 lbs.
Condition / Disclaimers
Both portraits appear to retain strong original coloring and fine detail, particularly within the sitters' facial features and clothing.
The pastel surfaces display visible age-related toning, scattered discoloration, and possible minor surface irregularities.
The gilt frames exhibit age-related rubbing, patination, and scattered losses to the decorative finish.
The ribbon-bow crests remain present and contribute significantly to the decorative appearance of the pair.
The reverse of the photographed female portrait displays aging and deterioration to its backing materials, together with later applied tape and hanging wire.
The works have not been examined outside their frames. The condition of the underlying paper, any historic restoration, and the originality of all framing components cannot therefore be confirmed.
Portraits are offered as signed and attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec; formal attribution has not been independently authenticated.
Sold with age-related wear and imperfections consistent with antique works on paper.