Ray Smith Art

Lithograph on vélin du Marais paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the volume, Verve: Revue Artistique et Littéraire, Vol. IX, N° 35-36...

Painted in the 19th century, this exquisite miniature portrait wonderfully exemplifies realism in traditional oil painting. The small artwork is painted in the conventional portraiture style of the Old Masters, and achieves soft realism with fine brushwork and a subdued, neutral palette. The half length portrait depicts a fine Victorian woman dressed in all black with a delicate lace collar and bonnet. She wears a ruby broach...

Titan Fine Art presents this exquisite oil on panel portrait depicting a handsome young gentleman in an exuberant black damask doublet. The pose, with one hand holding gloves and the other akimbo, was one that was well-established for gentleman of the upper echelons of society by the time this work was painted. The principle governing portraits at this time was the recording and defining in visual terms of the position of a sitter in society. In addition to brilliant and complex symbols of luxury, they often contained many symbolic elements too; the inclusion of gloves was often used in portraits that celebrated a betrothal as in ancient times gloves were used to seal a marriage contract. The extraordinary costume of a black shimmering doublet, the brilliant white reticella ruff, and the cuffs edged with lace were immensely costly… this attire proclaims to every onlooker that this is a superior being. The rendering of the reticella lace ruff is exquisite and the artist has recorded the design that runs through the black damask fabric with meticulous attention to detail. The preservation of this black pigment is remarkable considering the age of the work. Black pigments are especially vulnerable to fade and wear over time partly due to environmental condition but also from unprofessional cleaning. This work is an exquisite example from the period. According to the inscription in the upper right, the gentleman was in his 22nd year of age in 1624. The coat of arms, which is displayed without a crest, may be ‘blazoned’ in the language of heraldry, as: Sable on a Chevron between in chief two Roundels and in base a Billet [or possibly Square] Or three Martlets Sable. In plainer English this means a black (Sable) background, spanned by a gold (Or) chevron, above which are two golden solid circles (Roundels), and below which is a gold rectangle (Billet); on the chevron are three small black birds (Martlets). Martlets are a stylised form of heraldic bird, believed to be based on the swift, which are conventionally drawn with small tufts instead of feet. In Continental Europe it is also conventional for them to be drawn without beaks, as appears to be the case here. The birds in this instance also have a vaguely duck-like appearance. Five families have been identified with very close armorial bearings to the one in our portrait. They are the (van) Houthem’s (of Brabant), the Prévinaire’s (of Flanders and Holland), and the Proveneer’s (of Liège) and it must be noted that the locations of these families also fit with the painting’s Flemish origins. However the French Grenières’s (of Île-de-France) and the Jallot’s (of Normandy) are the next closest matches and plausible matches, as Frans Pourbus had settled in Paris just a few years before our portrait was painted. This painting has been assessed by a professional conservator prior to going on sale, and as thus, it can be hung and enjoyed immediately. Frans Pourbus the Younger...

Jean Cocteau White Book - Autobiography about Cocteau's discovery of his homosexuality. The book was first published anonymously and created a scandal. Original Handcolored Lithograp...

A fine American School naive folk art portrait of a man in a black tuxedo, oil on panel, monogrammed lower right AS, signed illegibly on verso “Alexande...

Jean Cocteau - Marine Mountains - Original Lithograph Dimensions: 38 x 28 cm Edition: 200 In Rives From: COCTEAU. — VERDET (André). Montagnes marines. S. l. (Paris), Les Messagers du...

"Candy Machine Red" is a bold and joyful sculptural piece from the Fake Candies collection—a tribute to vintage gumball machines reimagined through hand-sculpted clay microspheres. I...

Henri Matisse's Planche 51 from the 1920 portfolio Cinquante Dessins features a tender scene of two female figures: an older woman standing to the left and a young girl with long hai...

"Ottanio" is a mesmerizing piece from Elizabeth Art Candy’s latest series, inspired by the evocative power of sweet memories. This contemporary wall sculpture mimics the texture of m...

Lithograph on vélin du Marais paper. Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition with centerfold, as issued. Notes: From the volume, Verve: Revue Artistique et Li...

Portrait of a Gentleman with Blue Cloak and Portrait of a Lady in Russet Dress c.1697 Thomas Murray (1663-1735) These fascinating portraits are exquisite examples of portraiture in ...

Original vintage advertising poster for the famous Parisian cabaret music hall - Folies Bergère / Folies de Paris. La revue de Helene Martini. Acid-free linen backed, in Grade A- condition and ready to frame. Striking original cabaret poster featuring a classic Folies Bergère showgirl with sweeping blue feathers, white gloves, and heels The "Folies Bergère" is an iconic cabaret music hall established in 1869 in Paris, renowned for its lavish variety shows, extravagant costumes, and brilliant performances that defined Parisian nightlife throughout the Belle Époque and beyond. During the late 20th century, Helene Martini revived the tradition with sumptuous revues, blending classic glamour with modern flair. This poster, illustrated by the renowned artist Alain Aslan, epitomizes the exuberance and allure of Parisian cabaret. Featuring a glamorous showgirl framed by dramatic blue plumes, the artwork captures the spirit of "Folies de Paris," one of the venue’s most celebrated shows. Aslan’s work stands out for its bold colors, stylized elegance, and sensuality, making these posters emblematic of vintage Paris entertainment advertising. Today, vintage Folies Bergère...