19th-Century British Oil Painting, Portrait of Miss Sparrow, Country House

c. 1830

This exceedingly charming mid-18th-century English oil painting depicts a girl wearing a red gown with a train over a white petticoat. She’s holding a posy or nosegay. Evidently once commissioned for an English country house, the identity of this young lady remains a mystery. Her gown appears to be inspired by the popular ‘robe à la française...

US buyers pay no import tariffs on this item. This fine late 19th-century portrait by renowned Italian artist Jean Baptiste Discart (1856-1944) depicts a lady wearing a black dress embellished with a lace collar, together with a single yellow rose. It’s catalogued (#3) in Theo P.G. Kralt’s book, Jean Baptiste Discart, Orientalist Paintings and Dutch Portraits. A provocative rose draws one’s eye to the ‘décolletage’. Was it her idea or the bold suggestion of a young Discart, just 21, and bursting with energy? The style of dress came to the fore during the late 19th century and was regarded as somewhat improper by a stoic older generation. But, of course, the glaring eyes only encouraged young ladies to rebel and adopt the fashion regardless. Little is known about the sitter, but it’s conceivable that she’s either Austrian or French, given Discart’s known locations in 1879. It was completed during his training. It bears all the hallmarks of a young and confident painter looking to establish himself. Born in Modena, Italy, Discart’s father, Francesco Ferdinando, moved in particularly distinguished circles and worked for the Duke of Modena. Indeed, the Duke became young Jean’s godfather, so the pair were well-connected. One can only imagine the ostentatious interiors that he witnessed during childhood, and it’s conceivable that these experiences inspired his appreciation for the finer things in life. At 14, he was enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he trained under the German painter, Anselm Feuerbach (1829-1880). It seems that he stayed here until Feuerbach’s retirement in 1877 when the course was handed over to Leopold Carl Müller (1834-1892). His short time under Müller, known for his exquisite ‘orientalist’ work, would be transformative. From here, he left Vienna to immerse himself in the cosmopolitan environs of the French Capital and exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1884. At that point in time, Paris was an exciting place for an emerging artist. In 1884, the Société des Artistes Indépendants held their first show, which included works by Paul Cézanne...

Portrait of Lady Mary Robinson (1757-1800), 18th Century circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) Large 18th Century portrait of Lady Mary Robinson, oil on canvas. Excellent quali...

This superb large three quarter length British Old Master portrait in a landscape oil painting is attributed to circle of John Vanderbank the Younger. Painted circa 1738 the sitter is Mrs James Hoste of South Wootton and Sandringham, nee Hammond. She was the daughter of Anthony Hamond and Susan Walpole, daughter of Robert Walpole, and was sister to Robert, 1st Earl of Oxford. She married Major James Hoste of Sandringham, Norfolk, and they had two daughters. The sheen of her blue satin dress against her gold cloak is stunning. A really lovely 18th century portrait with excellent provenance. Inscribed with sitter details lower left. Provenance. By descent within the family of the sitter at West Acre High House, Norfolk; Cheffins, Cambridge, 'West Acre High House' sale, 24 November 2010, Lot 519; Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex. Literature: 'Portraits in Norfolk Houses', Prince Duleep Singh, 1927, No. 36. Sitter's details on two labels verso. Condition. Oil on canvas, image size is 50 inches by 40 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in an ornate gilt frame, 58 inches by 48 inches framed and in good condition. John Vanderbank (1694-1739) was an English portraitist and book illustrator, who enjoyed a high reputation for a short while during the reign of King George...