Edward Charles Barnes

19th Century genre oil painting of a lady holding a letter

C1870

***PLEASE NOTE: EACH PAINTING INCLUDING THE FRAME MEASURES 16.75 INCHES X 14.5 INCHES*** Federico Andreotti Italian, (1847-1930) A Bouquet of Flowers & A Fine Vintage Oil on canvas, pair, both signed Image size: 12 inches x 9.75 inches (each) Size including frame: 16.75 inches x 14.5 inches (each) A delightful pair of three quarter length portraits of Italian women by Federico Andreotti. The first work shows a young woman in fine clothing with a basket of flowers in her hands. The second painting depicts a traditionally dressed woman holding a Chianti Fiasco and other wine bottles. Federico or Federigo Andreotti was a genre and figure painter born in Florence on 6 March, 1847. He showed artistic talent from an early age and at 9 years old began receiving art lessons from the miniature painter Angiolo Tricca (1817-1884). At the age of 17, he attended the Art Academy in Florence where he studied under Enrico Pollastrini (1817-1876), the President of the Academy. Whilst there he won a competition and made a name for himself by producing amusing genre scenes and costume studies. His success attracted the patronage of wealthy and notable clients including the King of Italy who commissioned him to paint a large historical painting of Savonarola. As well as working as an artist, he also taught art at the Florentine Academy where he was made Professor in 1879. During the same year, he began exhibiting abroad and made his debut at the Royal Academy in London, where he continued to show his works until 1883. He is believed to have spent time in England around this period where he also exhibited at other galleries including the Royal Manchester Institution, United Galleries, Arthur Tooth & Sons and Thomas Richardson & co. He spent most of his life in Florence where he died on 30 October, 1930. His painting of Savonarola is held by the Italian government. Other examples of his work can be found in a number of UK public art collections including the Blackburn Museum, Fylde Town Hall, Glasgow Museum, Hawarth Art Gallery and Towneley Hall Art Museum. Presentation: The paintings are housed in new, English made gilt frames which are in excellent condition. Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, these works are offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished. © Benton Fine Art

William Edward Webb British, (1862-1903) Penzance Harbour Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 29 inches x 45.5 inches Size including frame: 38 inches x 54.5 inches A pleasing coastal painting of Penzance Harbour at low tide by William Edward Webb. In the foreground, a fisherman sells his catch to a woman and her daughter, whilst figures in horses and carts wait for others to unload their boats. William Edward Webb was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in 1862 to William Benjamin Webb and Ellen Butler. His father was a printer and an artist and it is highly likely he received tuition from him. Following the death of his mother, his father remarried and moved the family to Manchester sometime after 1871. By the 1880’s, Webb had started working as an artist and later set up a studio at 30 Exchange Buildings in Manchester. He began exhibiting at the Manchester City Art Gallery from 1890, where he showed more than 60 paintings during his lifetime. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy and Walker Art Gallery Liverpool from 1892. He married Clara Foster in 1899 and the couple lived at 1 Sylvan Grove, Chorlton Upon Medlock in South Manchester with their daughter Florrie. He became friends with the artist Walter Emsley (1860-1938) who also lived in Manchester. Although he spent the rest of his life in Manchester, Webb travelled throughout the UK painting coastal and marine scenes around the main ports and harbours. He spent a great deal of time in the Isle of Mann painting numerous scenes along the coast including views of Peel and Douglas Harbour, subjects he frequently returned to. Webb painted in a highly distinctive style; loose and informal but which manages to retain the sense of perspective. He struggled with ill health and depression throughout his life which sadly led to his suicide 9 November, 1903. In 1974, a retrospective exhibition was held at The Old Customs House and Old Solent House in Lymington, which brought a new found interest in his work. His paintings are now highly sought after and are represented in many collections and Museums including the Astley Hall...