Pre-Raphaelite watercolour

I don't think is a signature as you suggest because the reddish shapes that do look like letters, I agree with you, are seen across the whole of the bottom foreground. Generally there is a lot going on within the painting but I feel personally there is a chance of a monogram as this is in a darker colour than the surrounding foreground and in the right place, it is a longshot though!

 

I don't see a signature or a monogram ::there:: but it's not a print.
Thanks for posting the extra photos.
Good you pointed out the splice of the paper where the globe is, can you tell us anything more about that? Is the back of the paper not accessible?
The frame appears to have been made in China - yesterday.

She's got a STINKEYE like nobody else!
If I didn't tell you earlier, @steve lunn , I do like this piece!
But it's a real puzzle as to the age and the artist involved.
I cannot exactly determine the weave of the paper, is the "white part" shown below the painting in your photo - is that the paper "weave" - as it should be handmade paper.. I just cannot see it well enough to say that's what it is or not.

 

Hi Antidiem, Thanks for your continued interest, if you look at 'Steps in the garden' by William Henry Millais, it is on wove cream paper that is then put onto another layer of the same, this is why I have an edge/border on mine and probably why you can join two pieces together as per through the globe without any real problem. It's good because I'm learning so much as we go through this process, cheers for now, Steve

 

I'm having a bit of trouble identifying what I'm seeing. Your work doesn't appear to be a portrait and it doesn't appear to be a genre scene. If I had to guess, I'd think it was a history painting and depicts a scene from a story, book or play. Certainly the props -- the fallen bouquet, the books with globe above and the fact that she's pointing to her ring finger -- suggest so. (And that may be why the seller identified it as Pre-Raphaelite.) The clothing -- to my eye -- is a bit of a pastiche. The bodice is late Victorian (similar to that in this c.1885 photo.) The overskirt with train are more a feature of the Rococo era. (A much, more elaborate example is shown in this portrait of Mme. de Pompadour.) And the geometric gold trim evokes Medieval dress. (Something similar can be seen on this c1350 bride.)

Debora

 

Great observations Debora, it does seem to be full of hidden meanings but I don't know what they are. I'm confident we will eventually identify the artist but it may take a while, I really enjoy the journey and putting the jigsaw together.

 

Not so much hidden meanings as symbolism. I don't know how you'll get much further with identifying artist but I do wish you luck. It's certainly an interesting
work.

Debora

 

Understanding what it is painted on is a bit tricky. The picture of your fingers slipping behind the painting shows a flexible surface. On the back is a stamp from the art supplier #3297 I believe. Perhaps Bristol board which was invented in 1800. Look closely at the stretcher bars and see if there are slots cut on the inside corners for keys. If there are the stretcher is late 18th. century on. However since the painting (if it is a painting) being done on board would not require keys.

 

Hi Richard, The picture does look like my fingers are flexing it but they are actually behind the frame that has the paper fixed to and wrapped over, see back of picture. Another sheet of 'wove' paper is then fixed to that sheet, hence the border and join. The frame is made up of two vertical stiles, top, mid & bottom rails and has two panels rebated flush (on front) within the frame. On looking again I believe the timber frame that the paper is fixed to maybe a hardwood not pine as I originally thought. The stencil number is 329 ZN, i think this will relate to the consignment within a particular auction, I just need to find the auction house, Christies is where I've started but I don't expect a reply at this time of year.

 

Are these letters on the back? Looks like LA.

Debora

 

Hi @steve lunn fascinating painting! I keeping thinking I can see possible letters and or numbers in the top left hand side, can you see anything there? Perhaps take a black light to it? Sometimes that can show up things that you can't always see in natural light. Could also be my eyes playing tricks on me

 

Went looking for paintings of a woman with a globe. Among the handful of relevant results was this:

 

I've looked up Pre Raphaelites with initials LA, no luck but well spotted. I am going to get a black light/UVA lamp ASAP, I spent 20 minutes looking all over with a small light and I think there may be some hope in the left hand bottom corner, lamp probably won't be delivered till after New Year!

 

That's a good picture, who is it by and what do all the things mean?

 

Speaking generally... A painting featuring skulls is usually a momento mori.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/memento-mori

Debora

 

I would think your work a bit late to be truly Pre-Raphaelite. You might want to explore later artists who continued that tradition.

Debora

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/b5PPnos9E95ZH9g69, here is a water colour

 

I agree Debora, I need to widen my search, many thanks

 

This is a better link to the above ...
https://www.antiques-delaval.com/fr...nfants-bourgeois-globe-f-genaille-xixeme.html

 

Agree. That said, I do believe it's a gouache painting of pre-Raphaelite subject matter. I don't see a monogram or a signature anywhere. I enjoy the look in her eye and the entire painting is well done despite the cluttery vague background.

I don't find this to be an ordinary canvas for a water based painting, but it is unwieldy and curious. I have concern that the paper wrapped directly around the wood could cause acid damage in the future? Is it backed with acid-free mount board or paper?

If it were mine, I would probably do nothing about the mounting, or the frame.
The frame was made, like, yesterday, but it "matches" the painting well enough.

 

Hi, I have found several other Pre Raphaelite works with wove paper mounted to wood panel but no detail of how is was done. I don't think the frame is new, please see attached images.