Charles Spencelayh

The Buttonhole By Charles Spencelayh

Circa 1940

Jules-Émile Saintin 1829-1894 French L’Heure du goûter! (Snack Time!) Signed "Jules-Émile Saintin" (lower right) Charcoal and white chalk on paper A tender moment unfolds as a young girl leans over her bowl of soup, savoring her midday snack with focus and delight. Her spoon rests beside a slice of bread on the polished tabletop, while a cup, perhaps filled with tea or chocolate, and a second piece of bread complete the simple yet cozy scene. Nearby, her stuffed toy lies temporarily forgotten atop a shawl, hinting at the world of play just briefly paused. The setting is intricately detailed. The dining room showcases a marble fireplace adorned with a clock, fine porcelain and delicate cups. Saintin’s composition captures the quiet grace of the moment as well as the interplay of light and texture, skillfully rendered using only charcoal and white chalk. His ability to infuse luminosity into a monochrome drawing speaks to his refined technique and observational sensitivity. This work resonates with Saintin’s charming studies of children during his American period, such as A Little Girl Dozing Over Her Drawing (possibly a portrait of Jennie Walters), now in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Born in 1829 in Lemé, Saintin began painting at age 11 and was admitted to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris by 16. Trained under Martin Drölling and Édouard Picot, he became an accomplished portraitist and debuted at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1848, earning several medals. In 1853, he moved to New York to work in a photography studio, soon dedicating himself fully to painting. He exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design—becoming a member in 1858—and gained a strong reputation for his portraits of American elites, as well as for his depictions of landscapes and Native American clothing...

Georges Croegaert 1848-1923 Belgian The Letter Signed "Georges Croegaert Paris" (lower right) Oil on panel A cardinal pauses while composing a letter in this oil on panel by Belg...

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Constant Troyon 1810-1865 I French The Gamekeeper and His Dogs Oil on canvas This remarkable composition, titled The Gamekeeper and His Dogs, is a masterwork by the celebrated Cons...

An Old Man Pointing at Pocket Watch Artist 19th Century European School Signature: Signed bottom left Medium: Oil on panel Dimensions: Image size 46 x 55,50 cm

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Medium: Oil on Canvas Signature: Signed Upper Left

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