Help with a couple paintings

[jtw1313]

All I could find so far is very faint initials at the corner of one........didn't start ripping them apart yet to see if something is under the boarder

 

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[jtw1313]

So I took one of them out

They are painted on very heavy piece of board

 

[cw0909]

the woman reading is prob a reproduction from an art class
from a Quiringh Gerritsz van Brekelenkam oil in 1600s
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/rea...papp01/95/reading18-54-1024.jpg?cb=1488627013

another version
#222
Early 20th c. oil on canvas, nun reading the Bible, signed l.r. "Lucille Fenton"
(1912-2001), titled on reverse "Light of the Bible", artist signed on back, 28" x 20".
New Page 5

a lot of copies of the violin monk
https://www.google.com/search?biw=9...j0i5i30k1j0i30k1j0i8i30k1.rxrBSXF6r9Q#imgrc=_

 

[jtw1313]

Here is the back of the other one one heavy board

..........

 

[cw0909]

the woman,and i think some of the violin monk
were on heavy board too, hmmm must have
been a period when canvas was in short supply

 

[jtw1313]

I found it interesting what they are done on

 

[jtw1313]

I do not see any with a white cloth

 

[The_Piratess]

the woman,and i think some of the violin monk
were on heavy board too, hmmm must have
been a period when canvas was in short supply

Painters often have used them and still use these today. Stretching canvas over a wooden frame isn't that easy and then it has to be gessoed after that and left to dry before painting on it. Plus it's more expensive too. Starving artists and even some very famous ones before they were famous have used these. Artists for centuries used to paint on hardwood that was gessoed over. This is actually how many famous paintings still remain very intact today because they are not flexible like canvas and it's far less likely for the paintings to have developed cracks on them.

 

[The_Piratess]

Very nice! Can you tell me what those frames are made of? Are they all wood, or plaster on wood especially on the corner designs? That can help me to try to date the paintings' approximate ages.

 

[jtw1313]

Well thanks for telling me to look at the frame

I never would of seen this........so well hidden.......and I think they are all wood

 

[The_Piratess]

I never would of seen this........so well hidden.......and I think they are all wood

I knew that those frames were very old! I also think there is some plaster on them as well. Here's some info on the artist - Riley, W. E. (William E) (1807-1836) - People and organisations - Trove
You need to get those appraised by an art gallery! Let us know because if those are originals not only are they valuable and especially a matching pair, but definitely a Banner find as well!

 

[jtw1313]

You think that is the artist? Why would the signature be so hidden? I knew they didn't look amateur

 

[The_Piratess]

You think that is the artist? Why would the signature be so hidden? I knew they didn't look amateur

If I could see them in person and not only in a photo, I could tell. They could possibly be reproductions because they are signed and numbered on the frames. The Gas on the mat for the photo is not the artist as they never sign matting for paintings. Either way they are beautiful and still valuable. Those frames look to be around 100 years old. You need to take them to a gallery for a professional appraisal. Well at least all of my courses and graduate courses in Art History have paid off once again Lol!

 

[The_Piratess]

They are painted on very heavy piece of board

The back of the board in the first picture looks like Masonite board. https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Masonite&item_type=topic&nojs=1

This along with the artist's name and especially the serial numbers on the frame leads me to believe that they are most likely reproductions. Reproductions can also be made in such a way that simulates actual brushstrokes as well. Unless you can see actual build up of more uneven layers of paint in various colors, I believe that these are nicer, older reproductions possibly purchased at a museum. As you can see in the link, the predecessor to Masonite wasn't used until 1898 which wouldn't have been available to the artist in his time. Painters still use it quite often today plain and pre-gessoed. Gessoed & Masonite Boards - Art Supplies

 

[moosescout]

Many if not most who paint with acrylic use certain types of masonite after painted with gesso. I like it for the detail.