Jean-Francois Batut (French, 1828-1907) , "Portrait of a Gentleman" and "Portrait of a Lady", 2 grisaille oils on canvas, both signed, each 24 in. x 19 3/4 in., matching rosewood frames. Note: Born in Castres, France in 1828, Jean-Francois Batut studied under Jean Valette (1782-1843) in 1840, as well as worked in Paris during the 1860s to perfect his technique. Batut drew and painted in charcoal, pastel, and oil, creating portraits both from life and based on photographs. Some of Batut’s most intriguing works were painted in oil en grisaille (in grayscale), including the important pair presented here. Documented portraits of people of African descent in France are exceedingly rare. Batut utilized his oil technique in monochrome to portray this couple with beautifully rendered details of the hair, clothing, and jewelry. The sharp focus of the foreground slowly fades to soft focus in the background, perfectly mimicking the effect of a camera lens.