'The Enchantress' by Nathaniel Sichel (1843-1907).

The painting - which depicts a dark-haired beauty wearing a crown of holly - is signed by the artist and hangs in a superb quality carved and gilded Orientalist frame. In Celtic mythology holly is the ruler of the darker half of the calendar year known as the White Realm, in other words winter. The holly berry is also a potent Pagan symbol of feminine sexuality.

• For a comprehensive account of the life and work of Nathaniel Sichel visit the News & Articles page.

Nathaniel Sichel initially studied at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin before enrolling at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. Sichel’s success in the 1864 Prix de Rome with ‘Joseph explains the Dreams of the Pharaoh’ made his reputation as a painter of Orientalist subjects. During the 1860s and 70s Nathaniel Sichel became one of the most popular portrait painters in Germany and a leading artist of the Orientalist School, making a speciality of well-drawn and elegantly painted figures.

All our paintings are offered for sale in the finest condition they can be for their age having just been professionally cleaned, restored and re-varnished. Clients should also note that tracked and signed for international shipping is complimentary.

Dimensions: (framed) 77cm x 102cm (30¼” x 40¼”)

Dimensions: (canvas only) 55cm x 73cm (21½” x 28¾”)

Medium: Oil on canvas.

Provenance: Private collection.

Presentation: Fine quality carved and gilded Orientalist frame.

Condition: Very good. Newly professionally cleaned, restored, and re-varnished. Ready to hang.