Spanish 19th century large scale oil painting. Nun with Young Girl by Placido Frances y Pascual (Spanish, 1834-1902). The full length portrait depicts a compassionate Dominican or Carmelite order nun of the Roman Catholic church with a young girl kissing her cross. The scallop shells (attached to the nun's traditional habit), were worn by Catholic pilgrims traveling The Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela where he was buried. Signed lower left P. Frances 1868. Oil on canvas. Professionally relined and restored, touch up and inpainting mostly on the side of the nun's and girl's head and scattered retouch. Otherwise in good condition and shows very well. Measures 68 inches high x 42.5 inches wide. Frame measures 76 inches high x 48.5 inches wide.
From Wikipedia: Plácido Frances y Pascual (1834 - 1902) was a Spanish painter who specialized in portraits, historical scenes and Costumbrista. He was born in Alcoy, and began his artistic education in Valencia, but moved to Madrid in 1854 to complete his studies. He became a Professor of drawing at the "Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de Valencia" in 1861. Antonio Cortina Farin's was one of his best-known students.
In 1862, he created decorations for the "Palacio del Marqus de Dos Aguas" in Valencia. Four years later, he painted ceiling medallions of Venus with putti and cherubs for the palace's ballroom. He also worked at the palaces of the Duke of Santoa and the Marqus de Larios.
In 1870, he relocated to Madrid, where he became one of the founders of the Carculo de Bellas Artes and the "Asociacin de Acuarelistas de Madrid". He also became a Professor at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando and began showing his works at the annual National Exhibition of Fine Arts, where he won medals in 1871, 1890 and 1892. His illustrations often appeared in the magazine Blanco y Negro. In 1882, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Carlos III.
He died in Madrid, aged 68.