{"product_id":"pair-of-antique-french-pastel-portraits-of-a-military-officer-and-young-woman-signed-e-binet-de-quehelec-attributed-to-elisa-pauline-binet-de-quehelec-1808-1883","title":"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)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eItem Title: Pair of Antique French Pastel Portraits of a Military Officer \u0026amp; Young Woman, Signed E. Binet de Quéhélec, Attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883), Circa 1840–1860, Ornate Gilt Oval Frames\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdditional Description\u003cbr\u003eAn 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).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe portraits are beautifully executed in soft pastels, demonstrating delicate attention to facial features, costume, and expression.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis expression is composed and confident, with the artist employing subtle shading around the eyes and cheeks to create a striking sense of individuality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTogether, the portraits create an evocative presentation of mid-19th-century French portraiture, embodying the romantic elegance and refinement of the period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEra\u003cbr\u003eCirca 1840–1860, French Romantic period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe woman's side ringlets and off-the-shoulder gown are particularly characteristic of the 1840s and early 1850s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe gentleman's dark military tunic, high standing collar, epaulettes, and narrow facial hair are also consistent with the general fashions of this period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe exact dates of execution have not been established.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistory\u003cbr\u003eThe Artist: Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883)\u003cbr\u003eÉlisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec was a French artist associated with portrait miniature painting and religious art during the 19th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer mother's family was connected to the de Quéhélec name, which Élisa Pauline incorporated into her own artistic identity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe studied under the celebrated French portrait miniaturist François Meuret.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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. \u003cbr\u003eThe Tansey Miniatures Foundation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eImportantly, her known artistic production also includes larger pastel portraits.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 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. \u003cbr\u003eLot 346+1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Gentleman: A French Military Officer\u003cbr\u003eThe male portrait depicts a young gentleman wearing a formal military uniform characteristic of the mid-19th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis dark jacket features a high collar bearing embroidered gold insignia resembling an eagle or other stylized military emblem, with gold buttons and epaulettes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese features suggest that the sitter held a commissioned military position, although his exact regiment and rank cannot presently be determined.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFurther research into the insignia could potentially reveal the branch of military service.\u003cbr\u003eThe Lady: Romantic-Era French Fashion\u003cbr\u003eThe accompanying female portrait provides an equally compelling example of fashionable European dress in the mid-19th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer gown features a wide, off-the-shoulder neckline trimmed with delicate lace, while a pink rose corsage adds a romantic decorative flourish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHer 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe relaxed seated composition, gentle coloring, and attention to the sitter's expression reflect the intimate character of commissioned portraiture during the Romantic period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough the pair may depict a husband and wife, their relationship has not been documented.\u003cbr\u003eProvenance\u003cbr\u003eFrench School, 19th century.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSigned E. Binet de Quéhélec, attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec (1808–1883).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcquired from Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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?” \u003cbr\u003eBidsquare\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrevious ownership and the identities of the sitters remain unknown.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaterials\u003cbr\u003e- Original pastel or mixed dry-media portrait drawings, apparently on paper.\u003cbr\u003e- Black, white, gray, peach, pink, blue, and gold-toned pigments.\u003cbr\u003e- Large oval gilt-finish wood and composition frames.\u003cbr\u003e- Decorative ribbon-bow crests and raised ornamental detailing.\u003cbr\u003e- Pale blue-gray window mats with gilt oval accents.\u003cbr\u003e- Glazing.\u003cbr\u003e- Backing board, paper, and later securing materials.\u003cbr\u003e- Hanging wire.\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003eDimensions\u003cbr\u003eBased on the Austin Auction Gallery catalog description:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEach portrait:\u003cbr\u003e- Sight: approximately 21\" H × 17\" W.\u003cbr\u003e- Overall framed: approximately 31.5\" H × 23.5\" W.\u003cbr\u003eCombined listed weight: approximately 22 lbs.\u003cbr\u003eCondition \/ Disclaimers\u003cbr\u003eBoth portraits appear to retain strong original coloring and fine detail, particularly within the sitters' facial features and clothing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe pastel surfaces display visible age-related toning, scattered discoloration, and possible minor surface irregularities.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe gilt frames exhibit age-related rubbing, patination, and scattered losses to the decorative finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ribbon-bow crests remain present and contribute significantly to the decorative appearance of the pair.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe reverse of the photographed female portrait displays aging and deterioration to its backing materials, together with later applied tape and hanging wire.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePortraits are offered as signed and attributed to Élisa Pauline Binet de Quéhélec; formal attribution has not been independently authenticated.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSold with age-related wear and imperfections consistent with antique works on paper.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50958806155519,"sku":null,"price":1025.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/The_Palatial_Collection_Catalog_db2642d4-401e-4b47-8801-bfa46c57de74.png?v=1794151838","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/es\/products\/pair-of-antique-french-pastel-portraits-of-a-military-officer-and-young-woman-signed-e-binet-de-quehelec-attributed-to-elisa-pauline-binet-de-quehelec-1808-1883","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}