19th-Century Portrait Of A Man, For Nell

19th-Century Portrait Of A Man, For Nell

A worn late 19th-century portrait of a young man with a moustache and long hair.

On the reverse, an inscription reads ‘For Nell’, which conjures up some interesting thoughts. Was this gentleman in love with Nell and was it reciprocal? Did she ask for a portrait or did he send it to her as a surprise?

We purchased the painting from a private seller in Rome but the canvas originated in England, so could it have been a keepsake after a fleeting Italian romance?

It’s a shame that these stories have been lost over time but I’m sure you have your own thoughts on its history.

Medium
Oil on canvas
Size
8” x 10” / 20cm x 25cm
Year of creation
c. 1885
Provenance
Italy (English canvas)
Condition
Very tatty with various losses and abrasions.

Conservation & History

We care profoundly about our role as custodians and every piece in the collection has been assessed by our conservator. When required, we undertake professional restoration carefully using reversible techniques and adopt a light touch to retain the aged charm of each work. We also often restore frames rather than replace them as many are original and selected by the artists themselves.

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