Exceptional Pair of Naive Husband and Wife Portraits

Exceptional Pair of Naive Husband and Wife Portraits
Each Depicted Before Windows within Delightfully Furnished Interiors
Pen, Ink and Watercolour on Paper
English c.1813

17 ¾” high x 15 ¾” wide

Ref: 6265

With great attention to interior detail and delightfully naïve in perspective these are a particularly fine pair of watercolour portraits from the Folk Art Tradition. Depicting a Man and his Wife in furnished interiors, with patterned carpets, wall decoration, furniture and views through the windows all drawn in great detail. However, it is the wonderfully naïve working of perspective and scale that makes these such interesting and appealing works. Dating from c.1813, the figures are shown standing in period costume in “formal” poses, beside furniture and architectural details that are depicted with no understanding of vanishing points, eye level or reasoned observation. Now housed in period maple veneered frames, they are in good original condition and retain excellent original colours, having been stored for many years in a chest of drawers. These are quite exceptional examples of early nineteenth century naïve portraiture with enormous charm.