Doe and Hope

Description

The unframed oil on canvas English school depiction of a gentleman and lady, shown full-length amidst a high Victorian interior setting, with patterned carpet and panelled walls, the lady seated wearing a bonnet and the gentleman standing, one arm resting upon her shoulder, the other holding his top hat, each dressed prominently in black, possibly in mourning, amidst a sea green ground, surviving in unrestored and uncleaned condition.

The pictures is in tired condition though proves very decorative. It suffers from flaked losses as photographed. It remains un-cleaned and un-framed is apparently unsigned. There are areas of retouching as per the photographs.

This portrait is wanting to convey a masculine astuteness for the gentleman and a humility for the lady clearly designed to present the sitters in a favorable light, honorable and strong but kindly and charitable at the same time. The interior is particulary interesting with the spotted carpet and the paneled drawing room.

Once cherished, then forgotten the glory of old, a dream.