An old miniature painting ... but by whom?

[wendy177]

Mariok54 beautiful and I think sending your photos to  Bonhams or Christies art dept is a good idea if it does hold considerable value they will contact you with info on your piece and an auction estimate but at no time are you at any obligation to sell.

[mariok54]

Hi Wendy,

That could be good advice from you and Gingertom. Having taken a look at their websites it seems that they will give advice on pieces that are in keeping with items that they normally handle in their auctions .. so what is there to lose? 

[Oceans64]

Wouldn't that be nice if it were Ingres    

I tend to agree with KC that it was sold in the store but David was teaching in the style of Rapheal.  Giroux's son Andre also studied under David (different style from what I can tell) but there must have been an ongoing relationship with the studio/school.   David's students may have been supplying the store with art. A list of the known students of David can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pupils_of_Jacques-Louis_David

It makes for a good story anyway and I love a good story!!

[mariok54]

Hi Oceans ... Wouldn't it just!!   
You've all unearthed some interesting and intriguing detail .. and it sets the imagination wondering off in all directions!

[mariok54]

Well... I've e-mailed Christies, but not over confident that they'll look at it, even if they do it's a 4 - 6 week wait
I'll keep you informed

[waywardangler]

I think the artwork stands alone by itself as a quality painting.  A signature would add $$$ to the value but how many painters of that era produced such quality as that painting in a miniature form?  Absolutely beautiful.

[KC]

Totally agree with wayward's comments.  Not unusual to have unsigned paintings on miniature!

Let us know when you hear back!

[mariok54]

Ho hum,

Just got the Dear John e-mail from Christie's ...

Thank you for contacting Christie's regarding the possible sale of your property. Our specialists have carefully reviewed the information you kindly sent to us and have requested that I share with you their response. Unfortunately, based on the information provided, your property does not appear to fall into a property category or value level that Christie's currently handles for sale. For that reason, our specialists are not able to suggest an estimate or provide other information.

Seems it's not quite in their price range ... whatever that may be

Back to the drawing board

[fancypants]

I have not dealt with Christies for quite awhile (for selling) , but they used to refuse items with a value of $1k ; later on it went up to $2k .
I'm not sure what $ level it's at today/these days .

Large auction houses used to 'consign' artworks & often in their agreements they'd have the option of doing conservation/restoration/reframing to the item , in order to make it more presentable for their sales .
Options for the sellers ( & the auction houses ) used to include such services as a variety of sizes (& prices) of photos included in their auction brochures/catalogs .

In consideration of the costs incurred , especially for items that do not get sold & are sometimes abandoned by the owners , higher limits needed to be in place IMO .

If the potential for profit margins is low , most large auction houses just 'pass' on so-called 'low value' items .

I still say that you've got a cool little painting , mariok54 !

[Oceans64]

Apparently they weren't buying my theory that it came from Jacques-Louis David's studio and was perhaps an early work Ingres...  

They'll be sorry when your descendants sell it for MILLIONS one day.

First Stonewall and Lee and now this....

[mariok54]

I love your optimism Oceans!!!   

[KC]