Before

"Femme au livre" 19th century - Oil on canvas
70x150 cm
I was shocking by the heaviness of the garments and hair style which contrast with the fineness of face and hands.
After investigations, I discover that the original painting was been recovered by vast touched-up areas, very clumsy.
A very heavy kind of fur was layed on a subtile dress in dark garnet-red velvet, and the hair was "increased" by a rude tress, Walkyrie's style!
The background is repainted in black. All this is probably for an attempt for restoration, but very inexperienced.
A manner to hide the misery...