Spectacular and Rare Large Sandpaper Painting c1860
Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Folk Art: Pre 1900: Item # 1337043
Please refer to our stock # a1506 when inquiring.
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A wonderful example of a pastel painting on sandpaper. The scene shows a man in 18th century garb, holding a fawn that his daughter is feeding. They stand on a dirt path lined with a wooden fence. Other deer are in the foreground and near the lake that occupies the mid-ground of this work. In the immediate background is a fantasy type building on a hill, with mountains in the background. Above all this is is the sky at dusk, rendered in a beautiful array of colors.
As with other types of 19th century American works, many of these were done by schoolgirls as part of their "education" in becoming proper young ladies. There are a number of factors that set this apart from those usual sandpaper works. First is that the vast majority of sandpaper paintings are done using charcoal, resulting in scenes shown only in shades of black and gray. This example is done in a rainbow of crayon (pastels). Secondly, the depiction of animals, and especially people, is uncommon, while this gem has both. Next is the high degree of sophistication evinced by the artist, displaying how she was advanced enough to draw the reflections in the water of trees and buildings. Finally there is the clarity of the drawing, with no blurring.
The condition is excellent, with bright colors, no smudging, tears, folding, or restoration. The frame is period and probably original. Sight size is 23 1/2" by 17 1/2", and the framed size is 27 3/4" by 22 3/8".
