Small 19th C Portrait of a Young Lieutenant, 1891
Meet the Young Lieutenant: all buttons and a hint of melancholy
Allow us to introduce the quieter, more introspective member of our antique French military portrait family — a young officer painted in 1891, wearing his uniform with the kind of earnest pride only youth can muster. No medals yet, no grand decorations; just crisp red epaulettes, a polished belt buckle, and that enigmatic collar marked “10 10”, as if whispering a regiment number or a secret code.
The painter — signed Royer or perhaps Roger — captured him with a softness that nudges this portrait toward Impressionism. The brushwork is looser, the light gentler, the palette warmer than our more formal military sitters. There’s a tenderness in his expression, a touch of wistfulness even, as though he’s standing for the portrait before heading somewhere distant — perhaps a battlefield, perhaps simply adulthood.
His arms are crossed in a stance that tries to look authoritative, but his face reveals something more human: hope, uncertainty, and the quiet determination of someone just beginning his story.
This smaller portrait carries all the atmosphere of the late 19th century but feels surprisingly modern in mood — a perfect piece for anyone who loves their art with a whisper of mystery.
Hang him solo for maximum impact or pair him with our older, more decorated officers for a wonderfully eclectic military ensemble. Wherever he ends up, he brings character, charm, and the timeless allure of a young man trying his best to look terribly serious.
A poetic little gem — full of personality, beautifully painted, and ready to join your wall.
Product info
TRANSPORT & DELIVERY
All household, small fine art, and vintage items are available for in-store pickup or can be shipped domestically and internationally. Shipping expenses will be included during the checkout process for standard shipping.
All our large and delicate antique and vintage items require custom delivery, which must be organised separately from the product purchase. We will of course organise the transport for you and help you with all your questions. We ship world-wide and have lots of experience with the transport of fragile items. All of our products are professionally packed, shipped and send via one of our partners. We will make sure we will always find the best custom solution for your transport. Feel free to reach out to us anytime for a quote on the delivery of any of our items to your home address.
Please also read our FAQs about shipping.
GENERAL CONDITION
Please keep in mind that in many cases we sell vintage and antique pieces. None of these pieces should be considered new or in perfect condition.
All of our vintage products show the rich beauty and history of their life with the knocks and bumps of many years of use. We restore our pieces so they will be clean and in a good working condition. However we try to minimise restoration to keep every piece as original as possible.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The physical object can differ slightly in colour from the object as presented online. We have made every effort to display colours accurately, but cannot guarantee that the pictures accurately reflect the colour of those goods in real life.
CONTACT
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any question you have. We are always happy to answer your questions and help to transport your antiques safely to your home.
Choose options