Early 19th Century American Folk Art School Portrait of a Lady Holding Glasses

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American Folk Art School Portrait of a Lady Holding Glasses, created during the first half of the 19th century (circa … Read more American Folk Art School Portrait of a Lady Holding Glasses, created during the first half of the 19th century (circa 1830s–1840s) by an unknown itinerant portrait artist.
typical of the non-academic portraiture popular in rural or expanding communities throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic states during the antebellum period. The subject is depicted against a characteristically minimalist, dark backdrop designed to maximize focus on her face and garments. The artist utilizes stark contrasting elements, setting deep black clothing against luminous, translucent white accessories.

The surface exhibits visible craquelure (fine network of cracks), a natural consequence of aging oil paint layers binding to canvas over time. The painting shows evidence of historical structural restoration, including being relined and restretched onto a secondary support system to preserve the canvas structure.

Dimensions: Height 34"x Width 27, appears unframed. See less