Oil on Canvas - Help with Information

Why don't we start with... Where did you acquire it, Mirela, and what were you told about it? Is it signed? And could/would you post a photograph of the back including frame?

Debora

 

Hello,
There is no signature.
I bought it at an estate sale and they didn't have any information about it.
here is the back of the painting

 

Her dress is beautiful,face not so much ! Bless her heart ! Portraits are a funny beast.most folks arent into them,but those that are like a pretty subject. They just said on Antiques roadshow that women sell better than men,and naked women sell better than anyone !

 

Seems Victorian in decent condition. The lace on the clothing seems very well done, and her expression is more lively then typical of 19th c. portraits. Not usually something I'd be drawn to, but it catches my eye.

 

An estate sale in what country? (This is an international forum.)

Debora

 

the lace work, pearls, earrings and rings look like they've been added to it later, or embellished, looks odd to me

 

She's early Victorian. Pagoda sleeves with lace under-sleeves paired with a lace under-bodice and collar. Very 1850s.

Debora

 

Tedious work. Perhaps the artist did in the studio or preferred to have done by another hand. (But agree. Very loosely done.)

Debora

 

I have a very similar portrait dated 1856


I think that fashion is the best way to date yours.

This is the depiction of housewifery: neat and presentable, unostentatious, humble, content and competent in her position. A woman who is fully realized as wife, mother, and mistress of the house. Brown is the usual color of the uniform. The idea goes back at least a hundred years before this. Here is Mary, the Duchess of Richmond by Reynolds, c1766, dutifully engaged in an appropriately domestic activity:


It is possible that there was more than one artist involved. There were artists that made a living putting costumes on the painted heads and hands brought in by itinerant painters.

 

she looks Spanish.....
I'll take the earrings thank you......pearls too !!

 

Hello,
I am thankfull to all.
It was bought in Michigan, US.
Best regards,
Mirela

 

Your lady is pretty. Im just sayin...!

 

I want her earrings. They look Spanish or Portuguese, and were probably vintage or antique at the time the portrait was painted.
I agree with 1850s, and an Iberian connection.

 

Earring on the portrait:



18th century Iberian earrings:

 

She may well be European.

Debora

 

The closeups are too pixilated to see details and I'd be interested in seeing clear ones. We have a portrait of one of Jon's ancestors from 1834. We have provenance because it's never left the family. Her face is so well done. Then you look at the lace and pearls. I believe parts of this were overpainted at some point. Also look at the red around her fingernails. With the fine detail on the eyes and what I can see of the dress, that doesn't seem right.

We had a museum qualified restorer work on ours because the paint had dried, cracked and was 'cupping.' She did a marvelous job and now he's ready for another 200 years. She also removed some overpainting and it's amazing when you see the difference.