05-31-202006-01-2020
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsMarlborough MA
May 31, 2020 12:00 PMCalender
220

American/Continental School, 19th Century Couple at the Bay of Naples

Sell one like this
$1,375$1,100
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 3390BLocation: MarlboroughDate / Time: May 31, 2020 12:00PM

Description:

American/Continental School, 19th Century

Couple at the Bay of Naples
Inscribed "JV" or "JD" and dated "1853" l.r., with a label from J.R. Groesbeck Books & Stationery, New York, affixed to the backing.
Oil on panel, 9 1/8 x 12 11/16 in. (23.5 x 32.2 cm),framed.
Condition: Scattered minute accretions, hairline crack to right edge measuring approximately 3/4 inch, hairline crack to center measuring approximately 1/4 inch, scattered minute paint losses.

Provenance: The Stebbins family collection, Massachusetts, purchased in Rome.
Estimate $600-800

Framed dimensions are 10 5/6 x 14 1/4 x 1 inches. Framed by A Street Frames, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The monogram at the l.r. corner might also be read as "T V"

The work is coated with a fairly shiny varnish, which can reflect back causing multiple white dots in the photos. However, there are areas of thin paint, for example around the woman's hairline, along the lower edge of her left arm, in the upper part of her skirt, and in the man's right hand and shadow of that hand which also seem to reflect back. The underlayer or the panel surface is visible in these areas. There appears to be a very shallow abrasion along the center right edge, through the smoke of the volano, and a drying crack at the horizon line where it meets the man's left sleeve. No evidence of retouch under UV examination.

There is an encapsulated photograph attached to the frame backing paper that reproduces the Groesbeck label on the back. The frame backing paper was not cut to examine the back in person, since no inscriptions except "STEBBINS" were evident in the photo of the back of the panel.



Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Stebbins, Naples