Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Portraits Of Emperor Napoleon III And Empress Eugénie By Studio Of Franz Xaver W

Circa 1860

The greatest triumph of the artist’s career, this extraordinary and monumental oil on canvas by Gustave-Max Stevens perfectly represents the highly detailed compositions and richly h...

John Singer Sargent 1856-1925 American Stamped by artist's estate (en verso) Oil on canvas John Singer Sargent, widely regarded as one of history's most distinguished portraitists...

William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1825-1905 French La fille du pêcheur (The Fisherman’s Daughter) Signed and dated “W-Bouguereau-1882” (middle right) Oil on canvas William Bouguereau's...

John William Godward 1861-1922 British A Pompeian Lady Signed and dated "J.W. Godward 1904" (lower right, partially covered by frame) Oil on canvas One of the last and greatest Victorian neoclassical painters, John William Godward is celebrated for his flawlessly executed images of graceful women posed in idealized ancient settings. In this work, entitled A Pompeian Lady, a classical beauty is caught idling in a moment of quiet, solitary reflection. Godward's elegant subjects are depicted with a degree of technical mastery that remains unsurpassed, and the work's dramatic palette, luxurious fabrics and classical vision are all characteristics of his unique take on the neoclassical style. Godward was unmatched in terms of his technical skill and attention to detail. A master of contrasting textures, he paints a diaphanous gown draping against the model’s smooth, milky white skin, which sits against the painstakingly rendered individual hairs of a tiger’s pel. Scintillating color permeates the canvas as well, energizing the otherwise static scene. Each element is given careful attention, and the overall effect is one of both immaculate technique and sensual tactility. Along with his contemporary and mentor, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Godward set the tone for the Victorian neoclassicist movement. He built his career upon creating images of idealized feminine beauty infused with a Greco-Roman-inspired style. Though greatly influenced by Alma-Tadema, Godward distinguished himself through his predilection for the solitary female figure. His fame rose dramatically in the first few years of the 20th century, when the present work was completed, due to the burgeoning strength of the British Empire and the Victorian society’s preoccupation with ancient Rome. To many of the newly affluent, Roman society was, as Iain Gale writes, “a flawless mirror of their own immaculate world.” The sensuality and mystery of Godward’s maidens, combined with his impressive antique backdrops...

The present pair of portraits would make an exceptional addition to any collection of early American art not only because they were painted by the notable William Jennys, but also because the sitters are members of notable and influential New England families. In addition, these pendants have impeccable provenance: they have never left ownership of the decedents of the Kimball family and this is the first time they have been available for purchase. David Kimball (1766-1848) and Nancy Stacy Kimball (1774-1844) were members of historic Massachusetts families. David Kimball is a sixth-generation decedent of Richard Kimball (d. 1675) and Ursula Scott (d. 1659), who emigrated from Rattlasden, Suffolk County, England to Watertown MA around 1634. The family then relocated in 1637 to Ipswich, the city with which the family is now most strongly identified, when Richard was appointed to be a wheelwright.[1] Nancy likewise had early New England ancestry, descended from Simon Stacy and Elizabeth Clark, who were married in London in 1620.[2] Nancy Stacy was the second wife of David Kimball, and the two were married in 1799. Given this, the present pendant portraits were likely completed shortly after the marriage. David had two children by his first wife Mary Morse, who died in September of 1798. David and Nancy would have nine additional children between 1801 and 1815.[3] Most notably, the couple were parents of the Boston politician and showman Moses Kimball (1809-1895).[2][3] Moses would found the Boston Museum, an early for-profit museum and theater opened in 1841 that resembled European curiosity cabinets: the museum displayed paintings of Thomas Scully and Charles Peale alongside Chinese artwork, stuffed animals, dwarves and mermaids. Alongside these exhibits, visitors could attend the theater which held performances by gymnasts and contortionists, followed by performances of Shakespeare and Dickens.[4] This museum set the model for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which when founded in 1870 held a similarly diverse collection and appealed to the interests of a diverse set of visitors.[5] Moreover, some Greek antiquities from Moses Kimball's museum were eventually given to the MFA and Moses donated approximately $5,000 to the MFA's endowment upon his death.[6][7] William Jennys (1774–1859), also known as J. William Jennys, is an important American primitive portrait...

Alexandre Cabanel (1823–1889) Portrait Oil on canvas Signed lower left Alexandre Cabanel (1823–1889) was a prominent French academic painter known for his mastery of Neoclassical ...

Title: Portrait of a Young Man with a Straw Hat Artist: Josep Cusachs i Cusachs (1851-1908) Year: 1884 Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions (unframed): 18.1 x 15 inches Dimensions (fr...

Title: Woman Selling Fruit Author: Rosendo González Carbonell Technique and Support: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 31.9 x 25.6 in (unframed) Period: 1970s Style: Costumbrist realism with impressionist influences Condition: Part of a private collection Description of the Artwork The painting portrays a woman holding a basket filled with fruit, notably apples and pears, focusing on warm and dark contrasts that add depth and realism to the composition. The artist creates an intimate atmosphere, skillfully manipulating light to highlight the woman's facial features and the textures of the fruit. The figure’s attire evokes a classical style, likely inspired by costumbrist themes. Rosendo González Carbonell, renowned for his focus on traditional scenes and female figures, employs in this piece loose yet precise brushstrokes, creating dynamism that enhances the composition. The warm hues of the fruit and the serene expression of the woman reflect the artist’s intention to capture a moment of everyday life with sensitivity and expressiveness. Author’s Biography Rosendo González Carbonell (Barcelona, 1910 - 1984) was a Spanish painter recognized for his focus on female figures, portraits, and landscapes. He studied at the Acadèmia de Belles Arts de Sabadell under the mentorship of Mayoral and Antoni Alsina i Amils and also attended the "Llotja" art academy in Barcelona. He was a disciple of Bonaventura Puig Perucho and maintained a close friendship with painter Alejandro Huerta Lucas. He participated in the National Fine Arts Exhibitions held in Barcelona in 1942 and 1944. His work reflects the tradition of Catalan painters such as Joaquim Mir and Santiago Rusiñol, as well as influences from impressionist masters like Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro. González Carbonell often depicted small villages, rural churches, and tranquil landscapes, balancing meticulous detail with impressionist brushstrokes that bring his compositions to life. Similar Artists González Carbonell shares artistic sensitivities with other renowned painters who captured the essence of landscapes and human figures through light and color: Joaquim Mir: Renowned for his luminous interpretations of the Catalan landscape. Santiago Rusiñol: Famous for his delicate depictions of rural scenes and local architecture. Josep Amat...