French school (XIX) - Coppia di innamorati

France, 19th century, circa 1820–1840 Title: Young Lovers in the Garden Technique: Painting on ivory-pensile (ivory leaf) Dimensions: 41 x 31 cm in frame / painting on ivory-leaf: 34 x 24 cm Support: ivory-leaf mounted on rigid wooden support Subject: gallant scene in romantic taste Description Delicate sentimental scene depicting a young couple in outfits of early 19th-century taste, shown full-length inside a garden. The young man, dressed in a blue suit, double-breasted waistcoat, white tie, and mauve-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 loving and sentimental character of the composition. The scene is set in a verdant landscape, with a stream in the foreground and built up through soft tonal transitions. The palette, dominated by greens, blues, and subdued pinks, contributes to the delicate atmosphere of the representation. The arrangement of the figures, the smoothness of the flesh tones, and the meticulous description of the clothing recall the tradition of European miniature painting between late Neoclassicism and Romanticism. The composition still retains something of the 18th-century gallant scene, reinterpreted according to the sentimental sensibility of the first decades of the 19th century. Frame Wooden frame of simple rectangular structure, currently lacking decorative finish on the reverse. The back shows a traditional assembly with transverse wooden containment elements and nail gumming. The construction exhibits evident patina, oxidation of the nails, and chromatic alterations of the wood. A more recent hanging hook is present, which appears not to pertain to the original structure. Condition report The work presents in discrete conservative conditions, with significant support defects clearly visible. The surface shows marked cracking, consisting of several fracture lines that cross 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 traverses the lower left sector. Scratches, abrasions, surface deposits, small losses, and surface painting alterations are also present. The varnish appears locally inhomogeneous and slightly yellowed/matted. 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 frames or those appropriate to the period Description Elegant pair of half-length female portraits, set according to a common compositional formula and most likely made as pendants. The two young women are depicted in three-quarter view against a neutral gray background, dressed in sober dark garments adorned with small jewels, earrings, and delicate light collars. The painting shows particular attention to likeness: delicately modulated flesh tones, clearly defined eyes, gathered hairstyles, and meticulous description of accessories. In the first portrait the face presents a softer, lighter construction; in the second the features are more severe and elongated, yet with evident analogies in composition, palette, and technique. The set belongs to the tradition of Italian bourgeois portraiture of the second quarter to mid-19th century, still tied 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 typical characteristics of private portraits intended for the domestic environment. Frames Interesting 19th-century gilded wooden frames, rectangular with a broad oval golden matte. The surface features granulazione/peening work and rich angular ornaments applied with vegetal and stylized floral motifs. The frames are particularly coherent with the paintings and, judging by the construction visible on the back, are original or at least contemporary. The first frame shows a pronounced vertical crack in the upper part, affecting the structure and extending to the oval moulding. 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 conservative condition discreet/good for the period. The paint surfaces show physiological signs of time, surface deposits, and varnish inhomogeneity. Localized abrasions, small marks, and non-invasive craquelure are visible. In the first portrait, more irregularities and surface marks are observed in the face, hair, and background. The canvas also shows, especially in close-up photographs, its own weave and some surface deformations/irregularities. From the back, one of the paintings appears protected by a closing panel/card, while the other shows a dark back; from the photographs it is therefore not possible to fully verify the frame, possible relining, restorations, or pre-existing interventions. Direct examination is advised, and for more in-depth conservation cataloging, UV light observation. Frames: widespread gilding wear, abrasions, small losses and flaking of the ground, more concentrated on the reliefs and edges. The frame of the first portrait shows a pronounced vertical crack in the upper part, requiring consolidation. Conditions overall coherent with the period and use. Ideal for collectors and investment - The frame currently present is included with the sale of the work as a courtesy. Any transport damage to the frame alone will not be subject to refund or dispute. Photographic note: Some images of the work were professionally taken with artificial lighting (studio spotlight) to highlight the painting’s characteristics, medium, color, and conservation status more clearly. Color and light perception may therefore vary slightly compared with viewing the work under natural or ambient light. With documentation of legitimate provenance according to law - Expertise Professional packing and insured shipping

Estimación:€600

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