EUGÈNE SIBERDT (Belgian 1851-1931) A PAINTING, "Baroness Vaughan, Caroline Lacroix," 1906, oil on canvas, signed and dated L/L, "Eug. Siberdt Janu. 1906." 53" x 33" Note: The sitter is attributed as Caroline Lacroix, last confidant to King Leopold II of Belgium. The artist, Eugène Siberdt was appointed as a court painter some time in the late 1870's according to an entry by the Knohl Collection. The painting possesses clues and symbols to help identify the sitter. The viewer should note the 17th-century tapestry at the lady's back, which has a courting scene motif, at her side an old famille verte Chinese vase with chrysanthemums sits atop a two leg marble top console, and it is accompanied by a frame with portraits of two boys. Her fingers are covered in gold rings with emeralds, diamonds, an opal, and rubies; her wrists with pearl and diamond bangles. She wears a pastel blue silk day dress trimmed with embroidered lace, the dress pinned with a diamond and ruby dragonfly brooch at her breast, and at her neck a delicately strung pearl and jade cross necklace. She stands in chocolate silk beaded shoes on a parquetry floor laid with the pelt of a tiger, and her hand rests atop a lambs wool lined coat with an ermine collar. Layers of wealth and luxury surround the sitter setting her apart from bourgeois portraits by the artist, suggesting her identity could indeed be that of the Belgian, "Queen of the Congo."  Provenance: Rau Antiques, New Orleans, Louisiana

Some old repairs and inpainting, but overall in good to very good condition, wear commensurate with age. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS." NO REFUNDS will be issued based on condition.