Oil on canvas. Signature, location (Venice), and date (1898) are at the bottom right. The Venetian painter Vittorio Messori was also a skilled portraitist: he painted portraits of prominent figures from the Veneto region where he lived and worked. Here, a stern and dignified lady in deep mourning is portrayed, dressed strictly in black, although set against a green background that illuminates and highlights her. The painting is presented in a contemporary gilded wooden frame. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no official proof of authenticity, however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution