Antique Painting

[myracles103]

Hello all,

I have an antique painting that I have researched and not had any luck with. It has been hanging above my mantle for years and years... There seems to be a signature in the little girl's blouse, but I cant seem to make it out. Have any of you seen this before??

Thanks!!!

[mart]

And the back ??  Is it paper on wood ??

[fancypants]

Pretty tough to tell what medium your item was 'done' in , via image o/l only , & @ first glance appears to me as a pastel/oil 'crayon' type , style like possibly done in/by theme park/touristy spot artist , as a portrait , IMO (so far) .

Guess I'm with mart , fishin' for more info , my103 .

[mart]

Yes Please !! I enlarged the pic and I see shapes where you think is a signature but no letters !! If you can get a better shot of the signature only and reduce the size a bit it will be clearer when enlarged !! Might read it then if it is a signature !!

[myracles103]

It is a canvass attached to a wooden frame, but it is very brittle and crumbling around the edges... I will try to get better pictures... thanks for your responses!

[Ipcress]

It's not canvas. Also don't think it's a signature but part of the detail.

Looks like pastel but also some type of photo that's been touched up.look at the face and then how the detail becomes gradually less from that point.

[myracles103]

The more I look at it, the more I am convinced it isn't a signature but only. If it isn't canvas, what material is it? Any idea on the date? I know over 100 years old. Does the dress look Victorian to you guys/ gals? 1840-1900ish?

[mart]

Some transient artists could not write, the shapes I think are a form of signature but not many signed like this so there is no record or any way to tie it to an artist, I think it is Victorian era, the face looks to have been done with traditional oils and the clothing and surrounding area done by rub out technique !!  The color was applied then removed revealing the lighter canvas !! Occassionally it was retouched with white to highlight !! That's why the painting fades into the background !! This was a common method of painting during the Victorian era !!  I have seen them but usually they are in oval frames !! Linen canvas would have been used so smoother texture than the type used for landscapes ect !!

[myracles103]

Thanks so much for all this great information! It is much appreciated.

[Ipcress]

You know the last three clear images ? Can i have one of the face ( take it in good light without the flash if the glass is in the way )


Plus the orange marks - which side are they on ?

Mart - i see where you're coming from but there's such a contrast in detail between the face and the dress.
Also look at the margin. Seems to be pinned or nailed at a corner but is flat to the surface.

A couple of clear images of the face, surface and how it's attached to that thickish board / grame.

[myracles103]

I will post some better pictures, which orange marks are you speaking of? The "signature" is at the bottom of the shirt.

[mart]

That is what Ipcress is talking about I think !!  They appear orange to me too although burnt sienna is more likely the original color and its just faded !! It has an orange tone in some paint brands !!  I would also like to see a better shot of the face !! My response was based on what little detail I could see !!  Ipcress the highlights only would be done with rub out on the face !! This painting is a bit primitive so highlights are minimum on it !! Usually only the background is done this way !!  I saw that tack and wondered if this painting was in a different/smaller frame at some time !!  It looks like it may have been from the way its mounted !!