19th-Century German School, Portrait Of A Huntsman

19th-Century German School, Portrait Of A HuntsmanA charming mid 19th century portrait of a bearded gentleman wearing a large hat and overcoat. His outfit is more informal than you typically find in 19th century portraits of gentlemen and its interesting to consider why he chose to wear it. It feels more akin to outfits worn while hunting, so maybe he was a keen huntsman or a gamekeeper for a large country house. The portrait is housed within a later frame. Medium: Oil on boardOverall size: 24 x 31

She’s wearing a black dress with a lace collar along with a beautiful white bonnet

At first glance

Oswald Poreau was a Belgian artist who trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels under Joseph Stallaerts

which stand before a rustic annexe

Here’s an interpretation:

488 achieved at an auction in Belgium for ”Le Bêcheur” in 2009

Flemish still life painting began to show a preference for decorative presentation

The painting is housed within a chippy gilded frame with swept foliate decoration

Her expression is enigmatic and captivating

and the smoky background

Frame a little worn

An older man yells to a fellow sailor as he grapples with the remnants of the mast