English Colonial School, first half of the 18th Century
Still life with a servant chasing a monkey in the courtyard of a house,
oil on canvas, 129 x 154.5 cm, framed
The portrait of a dark-skinned servant in the present still life offers an interesting example of the sympathetic observation of a member of the domestic staff, who is portrayed here as an individual, rather than an “extra” in his master’s life. Whilst in previous centuries, and in portrait painting in particular, dark-skinned domestic servants appeared as the attributes of a distinguished life-style, in this case the servant is integrated into a milieu that is characteristic of a genre.
Although it has not been possible to identify the artist, it has been suggested that he may be not so much an English artist as a painter active in America during the colonial period and originally from the South, possibly from Charleston in South Carolina. The house in the background with a draped awning is reminiscent of the architecture of that town.
Specialist: Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
+43-1-515 60-556
old.masters@dorotheum.com
21.10.2014 - 18:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 12,000.- to EUR 15,000.-
English Colonial School, first half of the 18th Century
Still life with a servant chasing a monkey in the courtyard of a house,
oil on canvas, 129 x 154.5 cm, framed
The portrait of a dark-skinned servant in the present still life offers an interesting example of the sympathetic observation of a member of the domestic staff, who is portrayed here as an individual, rather than an “extra” in his master’s life. Whilst in previous centuries, and in portrait painting in particular, dark-skinned domestic servants appeared as the attributes of a distinguished life-style, in this case the servant is integrated into a milieu that is characteristic of a genre.
Although it has not been possible to identify the artist, it has been suggested that he may be not so much an English artist as a painter active in America during the colonial period and originally from the South, possibly from Charleston in South Carolina. The house in the background with a draped awning is reminiscent of the architecture of that town.
Specialist: Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
Dr. Alexander Strasoldo
+43-1-515 60-556
old.masters@dorotheum.com
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| Auction: | Old Master Paintings |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 21.10.2014 - 18:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 11.10. - 21.10.2014 |