Ida Orvall, Portrait Of A Gentleman At A Table

Ida Orvall, Portrait Of A Gentleman At A TableA characterful late 19th century portrait of a weary old gentleman dressed in traditional clothing. His right arm is draped over the back of a chair and he holds a glass in his left hand. The artist, Ida Johanna Sophia Orvall (1862 1950), has captured his posture and expression skilfully. We particularly love his outfit with its bold colours and confident brushwork. There are very few works by Orvall still in circulation and this is a rare find. She

Watelet studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels and won a gold medal at the Paris Salon in 1925

Behind the gaze

similar to the one worn by Sir Walter Raleigh (c

Heath trained at the Royal Academy Schools and took up miniature painting after the death of his father in 1848

It’s an unusual piece with an intriguing mystery to unravel

We discovered it in Sweden but it’s probably either German or French

Good overall with no significant issues

It has a misty dreamlike quality often synonymous with many portraits from the period

The last of the day’s sun illuminates a winding river as a canopy of trees creates shade and atmosphere

which is reminiscent of the post-impressionists

While a second figure reaches up and frantically tries to clamber aboard the doomed vessel

1860Provenance: HollandCondition: Very presentable overall