The mid-nineteenth century English school depictions of a gentleman and lady in the naïve manner, presumed man and wife, painted in oils on canvas and presented in harlequin frames, one being maple veneered the other of tramp art form, survive from the very early Victorian era in un-meddled with condition.
Unknown.
The artworks, both on dark moody grounds show a gentleman probably in his thirties in a dark suit, with white collar. His firm and steady gaze is serious but one can sense a humility, the portrait wanting to convey a masculine astuteness.
The lady, probably slightly younger than her husband, wears a laced dress with ruby ribbon and a gold chain to her hair spun in ringlets.. She shares the same steady gaze, though exuding more of a sense of kindliness, one can sense a motherly, nurturing disposition at play. Both portraits are clearly designed to present the sitters in a favourable light, honourable and strong but kindly and charitable at the same time.
Somehow a mis-match but a true pair, this couple would work wonderfully well on a staircase wall or in a secluded corner.
The pictures have both historically been reduced in size with parts of the original pictures to be found verso as photographed. There are scratch marks to the surface as shown; with no restoration or cleaning appearing to have taken place. There is an old layer of varnish over each.
The Gent: 17” height x 14.5” wide
The Lady: 16” height x 13.5” wide
By appointment only.
