Featured Old Oil Painting on Wood Panel

Good Morning,

I am looking for some assistance determining the age and region of origin of this small painting on wood panel. I recently purchased this at an estate sale. It measures approximately 5" by 5". The wood panel is definitely a hardwood of some sort. As can be seen in the 2nd photo the painting appears to have been in multiple inventories or auctions. I am hoping someone recognizes the inventory numbering system. I have researched paintings of this type and have seen similarities in flemish, dutch and german portraits. The clothing appears to be late 17th century. I believe the frame was made in London, sometime in the 19th century. There are the remnants of a label that says Carver, Gilder and Picture Frame Maker. Any information as to how to proceed with identification, potential conservation and care, would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome Lithographer. Maybe @Any Jewelry or others will recognize the clothing or the style.

 

Something about this looks very familiar. I get a Pre-Raphaelite vibe from this, though it could very well be older than that movement. A quick reverse image search did not come up with anything. Panel is mahogany if that helps narrow origin down any.

 

I don't think that's 17th century, despite clothing. The sensibility is much too modern. I would suspect Pre-Raphaelite. (Tudor girls were not an uncommon subject.) That would make it contemporary with frame.

D***! I JUST GOT SNIPPED BY VERYBRAD!

Debora

 

I'd like to see the framer label.

Was the painting held in the frame only by paper tape?

 

Yes, it was held in with small wood strips and masking tape. This is what is left of the label.

 

Well, here's a list of Pre-Raphaelite painters. You can go through and see if style of any matches that of your work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pre-Raphaelite_painters

And here's some internet information about when Pre-Raphaelite painters chose wood panels as support over canvas.

"All significant Pre-Raphaelite paintings were done on stretched canvas, save a few of the smaller works which were on panel. On account of their desire for smooth and texture-less surfaces, the Pre-Raphaelites needed a very particular type of canvas and, as Townsend notes 'Without exception their canvases were plain weave and of middle to fine weight' (Townsend 57). Due to the smooth results provided by the use of wood panel, it is perhaps surprising that they did not opt for this more often. Wood panels were indeed readily available, but considerably more expensive than canvas. When they did make use of wood panel, it was in their smaller works (such as Mariana and The Pretty Baa Lambs) due to its considerable weight."

Debora

 

That's a Christie's stencil number. They can look it up for you.

 

And there's this...

https://www.npg.org.uk/research/conservation/directory-of-british-framemakers/

and this...

https://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/a

(As label states in addition to being carver, gilder and frame maker, also artist's colourman. I suspect this combination of services may be unusual.)

Debora

 

and "Printseller" too!

 

I agree the portrait looks 19th century, could even be the early years of the 20th century.
The costume is ca 1560s-70s, and probably Continental European. I get a Central European vibe, maybe German.

Since the costume could be Continental European, I wouldn't restrict myself to one single artistic group in Island Europe. Try German and Austrian painters of the period, for instance. Or other nationalities. So many artists all over Europe were painting historic revival paintings.

 

Great information about the use of wood panels. The wood panel is why I thought this could be older. Did not expect the Pre-Raphaelites to be using them.

 

I didn't even know about Christie's stock numbers.


https://books.google.ca/books?id=Zx...#v=onepage&q=christie's stock numbers&f=false

 

Cool. Which one is the Christies number?

 

The stenciled number - 912e - if it is a Christie's number.

 

Now you do! I usually keep info like that to myself, but now that I'm retired ...go for it!

 

It's another tool, and useful to know. Thank you. I expect that for dealers of fine art, which I have never claimed to be, it must be a usual "trick of the trade". No doubt there are many others.

 

Thanks, for the information. I sent an email with photos to Christies. We will see what comes of it.

 

You'll let us know, of course. And good luck. Quite an interesting find.

Debora

 

Very interesting reading. Much appreciated.