Portrait of a Commander of the Legion of Honour. Third Republic.

Portrait of a commander decorated with the Legion of Honour. France, Third Republic, circa 1885–1905. Technique: pastel on canvas. Artist: signed at the bottom left “Ld Lasbordes” (or Lasbordez, signature difficult to decipher), unidentified artist, probably a regional portraitist active in the late 19th century. Subject: Very realistic portrait of a French senior officer, in a black dolman model 1883 with braiding, richly embroidered scarlet collar with golden leaves, sleeve insignia indicating the rank of commander. The officer wears the Legion of Honour on his chest, knight grade (five-pointed star with pearls, model Third Republic). Period / dating: Third Republic, circa 1885–1905 (uniform, type of dolman, shape of the Legion of Honour and style of the pastel). Dimensions: – frame: W 61 cm × H 71 cm. – pastel: W 51 cm X H 61 cm. Support: Pastel on canvas mounted on an original wooden cross-frame. Frame: Period frame in gilded wood and stucco, decorated with acanthus leaves, in very good overall condition, with some wear and small losses on the side consistent with age. Condition of the work: Pastel in excellent condition for its age, fresh and well-saturated colours. Slight traces of dust under the glass. No visible restoration. Shipping by Colissimo, no locker.