Maria Isabella Ghyssens, Adele Mertens & Petrus Franciscus Mertens, 19th Century, Oil on Canvas

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Pair of historical portrait paintings from the 19th century – Adele Mertens & Petrus Franciscus Mertens Author: Maria Isabella Ghyssens … Read more Pair of historical portrait paintings from the 19th century – Adele Mertens & Petrus Franciscus Mertens Author: Maria Isabella Ghyssens (probable signature / identification on the painting) Technique: oil on canvas Date of creation: 19th century Condition: patina corresponding to age, local abrasions and aging of the paint This pair of portrait paintings represents a pair of personalities captured in a factual and individual style typical of regional portrait painting of the 19th century. The paintings are executed with an emphasis on realistic rendering of the expressions, facial details and personal features of both models. The portrait of Petrus Franciscus Mertens (1811–1893) depicts a middle-aged adult man with a calm, firmly focused expression. The compositional solution and choice of colors highlight the author's ability to capture the personality of the person portrayed. The technique used indicates the painter's training in traditional figurative painting. The second portrait of his wife Adele Mertens is also executed in a realistic style, with attention paid to the face and clothing, which create the contemporary character and identity of the model. Both portraits are a faithful reflection of the 19th century, when portrait painting served not only as a decorative element, but mainly as a bearer of memory about identity and family history. The signature states the name Maria Isabella Ghyssens, which could identify the author or the author's family associated with these works. However, she is not yet a commonly published or catalogued figure in the main art historical databases, which underlines the unique character of these paintings as a regional artistic statement of the 19th century. Both paintings are complemented by a historical patina and original framing, which underlines their authenticity and value for collectors oriented towards personal and family portraits of older provenance. Dimensions: height 81 cm, width 60 cm, depth 2 cm See less