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Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Miscellaneous / French school (XIX) - Coppia di innamorati
France, 19th century, circa 1820–1840 Title: Young Lovers in the Garden Technique: painting on ivory-like card (ivory board) Dimensions: 41 x 31 cm in frame / painting on ivory-like board: 34 x 24 cm Support: ivory-like card applied/mounted on a rigid wooden support Subject: romantically styled gallant scene Description Delicate sentimental scene depicting a young couple in outfits of early 19th-century taste, represented full-length within a garden. The young man, dressed in a blue suit, double-breasted waistcoat, white tie, and a lilac-toned overcoat, leans casually against a basket full of red fruit. Beside him, the young woman, wearing a white dress cinched at the waist and a crown of roses in her hair, gently holds his hand. On the right, a lush rose bush reinforces the amorous and sentimental character of the composition. The scene is set in a verdant landscape, crossed by a foreground stream and built through soft tonal transitions. The palette, dominated by greens, blues, and muted pinks, contributes to the delicate atmosphere of the depiction. The arrangement of the figures, the smoothness of the flesh tones, and the meticulous description of clothing recall the tradition of European miniatures between late Neoclassicism and Romanticism. The composition still retains something of the 18th-century gallant scene, reinterpreted according to the sentimental sensibility of the early decades of the 19th century. Frame Plain rectangular wooden frame, currently lacking decorative finish on the back. The reverse shows a traditional assembly with transverse wooden supports and nail fittings. The construction shows evident patina, oxidation of the nails, and color alterations of the wood. A more recent suspension hook is present, which appears not to pertain to the original structure. Condition report The work presents in discrete conservation conditions, with significant support defects clearly visible. The surface shows pronounced cracking, consisting of several breaking lines crossing the composition. The most evident runs vertically through the female figure, starting from the upper right area and continuing through the bust, dress, and lower part of the composition. Additional cracks affect the central and lower areas, while a long line runs transversely across the lower left section. Scratches, abrasions, surface deposits, small losses, and surface paint alterations are also present. The varnish appears locally uneven and slightly yellowed/opaque. Scope: Italian school, 19th century Period: mid 19th century, circa 1840–1860 Title: Pair of portraits of young gentlewomen Technique: oil on canvas Format: oval within contemporary rectangular or period-appropriate frames Description Elegant pair of half-length female portraits, posed according to the same compositional formula and most likely produced as pendants. The two young women are depicted in three-quarter view on a neutral gray background, dressed in sober dark garments enhanced by small jewels, earrings, and delicate light collars. The painting shows particular attention to facial features: delicately modulated flesh tones, clearly defined eyes, gathered hairstyles, and meticulous description of accessories. In the first portrait the face has a softer, more luminous construction; in the second, the physiognomy is more severe and elongated, yet maintaining evident analogies in setting, palette, and technique. The ensemble belongs to the tradition of Italian bourgeois portraiture of the second quarter to mid-19th century, still linked to a figurative culture of neoclassical and romantic origin. The sobriety of the background, the absence of narrative elements, and the psychological concentration on the faces are characteristic of private portraits intended for the domestic environment. Frames Interesting 19th-century gilded wooden frames, rectangular with a wide oval/gold mat. The surface features granulazione/punzonatura work and rich angular ornaments applied to stylized vegetal and floral motifs. The frames are particularly coherent with the paintings and, judging by the construction visible from the back, are original or at least contemporary. The first frame shows a relatively evident vertical crack in the upper part, affecting the structure and running to the oval edge. Widespread abrasions, small losses, and gilding wear are also present. The second appears structurally better preserved, though showing normal wear, small losses, and abrasions compatible with age. Condition report Paintings: overall conservation status discrete/good for the period. The paint surfaces show physiological signs of time, surface deposits, and varnish unevenness. Localized abrasions, small marks, and craquelure not particularly invasive are visible. In the first portrait there are more irregularities and surface marks in the face, hair, and background. The canvas also shows, especially in close-up photographs, its own weave and some surface deformities/irregularities. From the back, one of the paintings appears protected by a backing panel/card, while the other shows a dark back; from photographs it is not possible to fully verify the frame, any relining, restorations, or prior interventions. Direct examination is recommended and, for a more in-depth conservation cataloguing, UV light observation. Frames: widespread gilding wear, abrasions, small losses and loss of preparatory layer, mainly concentrated on the reliefs and edges. The frame of the first portrait shows a marked vertical crack at the top, requiring stabilization. Conditions overall coherent with the period and use. Ideal for collecting and investment - The present frame will be included with the sale of the artwork as a courtesy. Any transport damage to the frame alone cannot be subject to reimbursement or dispute. Photographic note: Some images of the work were professionally taken with artificial lighting (studio spotlight) to better highlight the painting characteristics, material, hue, and conservation status. Colors and brightness may therefore vary slightly compared with viewing the work under natural or ambient light. With documentation of lawful origin — Expertise Professional packing and insured shipping
Estimate:$675.13
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Estimate:
$675.13
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
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