Featured Mystery Antique Oil Painting

Hello!
I am seeking any information regarding this painting, and/or my next step in finding more information. I bought this oil painting on board, three years ago off Ebay from a fine art dealer based in the UK.



It was advertised as "indistinctly signed" in the bottom right corner. I suppose because I was always focused on that area, I never noticed the ACTUAL signature in the upper left corner. I shined a flashlight on it last night and to my immense surprise, a very clear signature shined through the dark spots- the best I can read is, D. Potier.



The back of the painting also has a label from a supplier, "The Art Centre" in Johannesburg, South Africa. Now I know Johannesburg did not become a city until 1886, so assuming the painting was done and framed around the same time... this dates sometime after 1886... I have not been able to find anything on this "Art Centre" either.



Lastly, I just love the subject! What are the faces in the background? Ghosts? Someone looking out from cell bars? I would love to know more about this interesting painting, but am having no luck so far. I have researched this artist name, including variations of that last letter that I'm not 100% sure is an "R". I researched the name in relation to Johannesburg, etc etc. I'm not turning up anything. I would just love to add a little more history to this piece! Any/all advice or insight is appreciated, thanks!

 

nice

 

D. Potier?

 

I think it must be later that 1886 - there's a telephone number on the card.

 

Good eye! Thank you!

 

That's the name I'm reading too, but I can't find anything on the artist. I realize it may not be a listed artist, but I was hoping to find something pop up with that name.

 

According to Google, the first telephone line in Johannesburg was started in 1891. So now we can at least date the framing sometime after 1891.

 

Glad you did that research. I wasn't sure how to find it myself.

 

Are we sure the label is connected to the painting and not the framing (which could have been later)?

 

I'm assuming the label is connected to the framing, actually. It's from a "art dealer and framing specialist". So it's certainly possible that the picture was completed before 1891, but it seems it was framed in/after 1891 in Johannesburg. Does anyone know what "Aubray picture framers" means, from the label?

 

The label looks like mid 20th Century, judging by the information and the fonts used.

Love the painting!

 

A firm named Aubray Picture Framers was made part of The Art Centre.

 

Thanks for the insight. Also, love your tagline- how true it is!

 

Ahhhh ok! Thank you!

 

Lovely ! Can we see the signature on the bottom ? Im curious as to why itd have 2 signatures.

 

This is what myself and the dealer thought was an "indistinct signature"- you can see how it sort of looks like an "H"? I think this is actually just how they painted the carpet "fibers". The actual signature was black in a black spot on the painting, and only visible when shining a bright light on it. Perhaps the artist was being tricky? That lady's smile sure does look mischievous, so I like to imagine it was a bit of a joke.

 

Yeah,Im not seeing a signature there either. I think the background might be a circus themed backdrop,maybe shes an actress? She looks like quite the saucy minx!

 

An interesting take! I can see circus now that you mention it.

 

She resembles La Goulue (Louise Weber).

 

That is an avenue that needs attention.

"La Goulue was also the mistress of many artists and she posed for various painters, famous or not."
from...
http://www.racontemoilhistoire.com/2017/08/goulue/