16th‑Century Style Portrait of a Lady – Early 19thC, or Possibly Earlier, English Antique Copy After a German School Original, Circa 1540

This 19th-century portrait is a faithful copy after a somewhat naive German School original from around 1540, capturing the poised elegance and quiet formality characteristic of mid-16th-century Northern European portraiture. The sitter’s composed expression, restrained palette, and finely observed costume details all echo the dignified realism of the early Renaissance courts of the Holy Roman Empire.

Inscribed with the age of the sitter (Aetatis Suae 15) and bearing a coat of arms.

Works of this type were commonly produced in the 19th century by academically trained artists studying Old Master techniques. This example retains the crisp silhouette, sculptural modelling, and still, introspective presence that defined the German portrait tradition at the time of Cranach, Amberger, and their contemporaries.

The painting presents beautifully, with a warm, time‑softened surface and a sympathetic later frame that enhances its period character.

Historical Background:

German portraiture of the mid‑16th century is known for its clarity, precision, and psychological restraint. Artists of this period favoured:

Sharply defined outlines

Cool, balanced colour harmonies

Meticulous attention to costume and status

A composed, almost sculptural stillness

These portraits were intended to project lineage, virtue, and social standing. By the 19th century, such works were widely admired and frequently copied by artists seeking to master Renaissance technique or supply the growing market for historicising interiors.

This painting sits firmly within this tradition — a respectful, atmospheric homage to a 1540s German School original.

Provenance: England. Early 19th century (possibly earlier).

Condition: Good antique condition with age‑related wear, craquelure, and a stable, attractive patina. Presented in a 19th-century ebonised wooden frame. The frame shows expected marks consistent with age.

Dimensions - Painting:

Height: 28 cm (11 in)

Width: 24 cm (9.4 in)

For the collector, this is a beautifully composed 19th‑century portrait rooted in the dignified elegance of the German Renaissance. Its calm presence, historic styling, and intimate scale make it ideal for collectors of early portraiture, Tudor‑period interiors, or Old Master‑inspired decorative schemes.