A late-19th-century French school portrait of a gentleman wearing a dark coat, white shirt and black bow tie. He carries an air of a stoic hard-working character that’s endured a turbulent life.
His style fits alongside other portraits from the 1880s when collars were stiff and bow ties were popular. He’s probably wearing a waistcoat under his suit jacket and may also carry a pocket watch.
The portrait is housed within a beautiful swept frame with foliate ornamentation that’s probably the original.
Medium |
Oil on wood
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Overall size |
13½” x 15½” / 34cm x 39cm
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Year of creation |
c. 1880
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Provenance |
England, originally France
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Condition
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Areas of deep craquelure but the paint layer is stable under varnish. Frame with losses and age-related wear.
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