St Mich - Sellingantiques.co.uk

St Mich

1970s ABSTRACT BRONZE SCULPTURE BY MICHAEL ALBRECHT

A striking and mystical bronze sculpture by Michael Albrecht, a leading West Country jewellery designer, artist and teacher in the 1970s. Created through the lost wax method the piece is inspired by natural organic shapes, fungi in particular. Central to the work is the bulbous organic form with its thought inviting caverns. Supported on a tapering arm and topped with a rugged spire, the surface of the sculpture is reminiscent of roughly carved, weathered rock, and also lichen covered stone; the bronze skin is handled with a cold painted wash in deep gold tones. The piece is mounted on a cleverly pitted, off-rectangular base plate and comes with a heavy Cornish slate stand. The work was obtained directly from the artist in the 1970s and has never been offered before.

SOLD....Portrait of Mary, Duchess of Ormonde c.1695, by Michael Dahl

Oil on canvas in well carved giltwood frame, inscribed upper left 'Dutchess of Ormond' (note 18th c. spelling). LADY MARY SOMERSET, DUCHESS OF ORMONDE (1665 - 1733) was the daughter of Sir Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort, and Mary Capel. She became the second wife of James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, on the 3rd of August 1685. The poet Dryden dedicated a shamelessly flattering poem to her in the preface of his translation of Chaucer's 'Knights' Tale'. When her husband was exiled Mary lived at Ormonde House, Chelsea from 1720 until her death in 1733. The Ormondes had two children; Elizabeth, who died unmarried in April 1750 and Mary, who married the 1st Earl of Ashburnham in October 1710. James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (April 29, 1665 - November 16, 1745), Irish statesman and soldier, was born in Dublin and was educated in France and afterwards at Christ Church, Oxford. He was a gallant cavalry commander in his youth and rose to become Captain-General of the Army and Viceroy of Ireland. However, in 1715 he became involved in the Jacobite Rebellion and had to flee to Spain. His immense estates were confiscated by the Crown. Towards the end of his life he resided much at Avignon, refusing all attempts at reconciliation with the Hanoverian monarchy. Ormonde died on 16 November 1745, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The Duke was one of the great figures of his time; handsome, dignified, magnanimous and open-handed, he enjoyed great popularity. MICHAEL DAHL (1659-1743) was born in Stockholm; after studying in Paris, Rome and Frankfurt he settled in London in 1689. He soon became the best patronised portrait painter in England after Kneller. He was much employed at the Court painting many portraits; a great patron of the 1690s was the Duke of Somerset, for whom he painted the series of portraits of Court ladies known as the 'Petworth Beauties'. Dahl was a favourite of the Duke of Ormonde and painted for him several times. His style is extremely close to Kneller but his interpretation of character is less brash and more human. He has a quieter but somehow more understanding appeal to character which relies on its own integrity to make its impact; his works are of a real distinction. This painting is typical of Dahl's sensitive portraiture and is of considerable charm. SIZE: 37.5 x 32.5 inches inc. frame Interestingly, the intensity of the green of the Duchess's robe changes according to the lighting...ranging from the strong green seen in these images to a darker brown-green. PROVENANCE: for many years in a Somerset Private Collection

SOLD....Portrait of Mary Dowdeswell c.1695; by Michael Dahl

Oil on canvas in feigned oval within rare William Kent architectural carved and gilt frame c.1740, the sides decorated with finely carved oakleaves and acorns. The reverse of the frame bears old dealer's labels with the name of the sitter, the provenance and an erroneous attribution to Highmore. The DOWDESWELLS are an old Gloucestershire family where they lived at Pull Court near Tewksbury from the 15th to the 19th century. In the 19th c. the house was sold and is now a school. MICHAEL DAHL (1659-1743) was born in Stockholm; after studying in Paris, Rome and Frankfurt he settled in London in 1689. He soon became the best patronised portrait painter in England after Kneller. He was much employed at the Court painting many portraits; a great patron of the 1690s was the Duke of Somerset, for whom he painted the series of portraits of Court ladies known as the 'Petworth Beauties'. His style is extremely close to Kneller but his interpretation of character is less brash and more human. He has a quieter but somehow more understanding appeal to character which relies on its own integrity to make its impact; his works are of a real distinction. At his best he was a finer portraitist than any of his contemporaries, with a softer and more gentle technique than Kneller's, which was especially suitable for his portraits of women. This painting is absolutely typical of Dahl's highly skilled sensitive portraiture and is of great quality, allowing one to gain an insight into the character of the sitter; here Mary looks out at the viewer with a quiet and intelligent good humour...in every way this is a superb painting. Size: 35.25 x 26.75 inches canvas size. 43 x 34.75 inches inc. frame. Provenance: by descent through the Dowdeswell family of Pull Court. with Frost and Reed of St. James's, London. with Anderson Galleries, Chicago. American Private Collection. (Verso: old dealer's labels). NOTE- PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE SHIPPING