A Small c.1830-50 English School Portrait of a Cloaked Gentleman

SOLD
Origin: Unknown
Period: Early Victorian
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1830-50
Canvas Height: 6.25 inches
Canvas Width: 4.75 inches

Unframed and painted in oils on canvas, the well realised three-quarter depiction of a chestnut-bearded and blood-red cloaked gentleman in a contemplative pose survives from the first half of the nineteenth century.

Although slightly dirty, the quality of the painting is really rather good, there is a commensurate amount of craquelure across the canvas and interestingly to the sides and reverse there are signs of early nineteenth century hand-written text and the remains of a turquoise paper backing which makes for an aesthetically pleasing ‘frame’.

This work is not a fragment from a larger composition but a stand-a-lone picture and one could say that it is influenced in part by Rembrandts moody and atmospheric portraits. The work definitely has religious overtones and the sitter is looking contemplatively, purse lipped, to the heavens having the look of a hermit, or more likely, a devoted man of god. He is painted deftly and the detail to the face and indeed to the finery of the hair is of a high level.

A thoroughly charming and atmospheric depiction of delightful proportions and from a capable hand.
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