Florent Willems, Élégante au Face à Main

Florent Willems, Élégante au Face à MainThis exquisite late 19th century oil painting by Belgian artist Florent Willems (1823 1905) depicts a seated lady examining her hair via the use of two mirrors. Florent Willems was predominantly known for his exquisite genre scenes featuring sumptuous interiors, lavish furnishings and decadent ladies. His approach was heavily influenced by his adoration for the Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th century, hence his nickname, the 'modern Ter Borch'.

dressed in fineries with shotguns in hand

Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) was depicted as Saint Catherine by Jacob Huysmans (1633-1696) to reference her devotion to Catholicism

The use of colour

Gently lit by the final embers of the day

So perhaps it’s fitting to leave the final words to another poet TS Elliot

nailed crates

“I am starting to tell you

”Magazine printed in Brussels

When we look upon this highly decorative ensemble

During this later period

while the artist caught the last of the evening’s glow

One scratch