Any clues, origin of an 18,19th C landscape oil?

Hi!

I'm looking for the origin of this small landscape in oil. Any clues would be of help!

I don't have much information about it at the moment;
- small size, around 11inch width
- I purchased it from an auction house in Sweden (though not necessarily of Nordic origin, but what do I know?), stated as 18th or 19th C
- appears to have been set in an oval picture frame originally
- no signature from what I can see

What are your thoughts? How can I find more information about an artwork like this?

Also, there's been an attempt to repair (somewhat badly) a few holes as you can see. Any thoughts on what can be done in terms of restoration?

 

Hi Skanesokarn!

Welcome to Antiquers.........

I can't help, but others will be along to give their opinions.

 

It's a sedate country scene that I do not recognize, but feel comfortable enough to mention that often paintings were copied from master's original works, this may be one. Perhaps another member will recognize it, which may help you with the origins.

The "sphere" of scenery in the center - is the reason I think this could be an old copy. Your photos and description of it are great! On lower right hand corner, it looks like it may have had some older signature - painted out?

I do have a question, is this small painting - so thinly painted - that I can see your tile floor shining through the canvas?

 

Not sure how much you'll be able to discover about your painting. Do know that it's a genre scene rather than a landscape. And it's certainly not 18th century but does appear to be 19th century and European. (From the figures' costumes could well be from close to where you found it.) You don't show the front in its current frame but it was painted in an oval format and would have been originally displayed as such. Some damage and an (amateur) attempt at repair but professional restoration not going to bring a return on investment. Not by the hand of a terribly accomplished painter but a charming country scene nevertheless.

Debora

 

The painting is not as thinly painted as appears in photos, I believe the effect might be due to the camera on my phone It's oil on canvas and one cannot see through the surface!

It appears that this painting originally sat in a much older oval picture frame than the square I have now; I don't have any information as to why someone exchanged it.

I'm simply curious to find out more because this "quaint" scene struck me as rather idyllic. I suppose one would never get a return on investment as for restoration (professional)... also I bought the painting for next to nothing... might take a stab at improving upon the "patched blue-blob/alt. ghost panthasm" eyesore with a bit of brown and black oil paint... How would you do it? Any ideas?

 

LOL - it looks like a tile floor in the background? As though the shine on your floor produced a glare shine that went straight through your canvas and paint..

It appears someone patched the back and never got around to repainting the front. If you are handy to match paint colors, yes you could dab this into place with a paint brush.

 

Haha yes, the effect is illusory though. As for the signature, I looked closely but I'm not able tell if it's just a blotch or not