What defines portraiture from the Edwardian era?

Edwardian portraiture, created roughly between 1901 and 1910, is characterised by realistic figurative depictions, subdued colour palettes, and an emphasis on the sitters social standing and personal life, frequently incorporating pets or formal attire.

What materials were traditionally used in period oil paintings?

Artisans employed oil-based pigments applied to stretched linen or cotton canvas, occasionally using wooden panels. Frames were typically crafted from wood and adorned with ornate moulded gesso prior to being finished in gold leaf.

How can you identify an authentic period oil painting?

Authentic paintings usually exhibit natural craquelure across the varnish and paint layers, period-correct construction markers such as hand-cut stretcher bars, and evidence of subtle oxidisation on the canvas backing and frame.

How can an antique portrait be styled in modern interiors?

An antique portrait can serve as a focal point above a fireplace or sideboard, or be integrated into an eclectic gallery wall to create visual contrast against contemporary furniture and modern wall treatments.

How should an oil painting and gilt frame be maintained?

Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight, radiators, and high humidity to prevent cracking and canvas distortion. Gently dust the gilt frame with a soft, dry brush, avoiding liquid cleaners or harsh abrasive materials.

for sale €527 $572

£450

Abersoch Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2010

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Welsh country furniture, treen ,longcase clocks, gold & silver

Relevant Links

Edwardian Period Wall Art

Antique Dog Portrait Painting

Id #SA1159062

PDF

SAVE

Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

Name: Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1159062
Price: 450 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Abersoch Antiques

Description

A LARGE CHEERFUL WELL EXECUTED OIL PORTRAIT OF A LADY WITH HER LITTLE LAPDOG. FINELY PAINTED DETAILED FACE AND CLOTHING, SET IN LARGE GILT FRAME. SOME WEAR AND OLD TOUCHUP TOP AND LOWER LEFT AS PER PHOTOS.OVERALL GOOD PRESENTABLE CONDITION BOUGHT AS SEEN FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION

DIMENSIONS:

107CM TALL

94CM WIDE

10CM DEEP

ARTIST:

Biography: Joseph Cecil Bradshaw was the younger brother of established artist, John Champion Bradshaw. Both men moved to the Isle of Man from Manchester and were professional artists/photographers.

The youngest of five children to George Bagnall Bradshaw and Mary Dorothea Champion, Bradshaw was born in Cheetham, Manchester in 1858. His birth name was Joseph Wright Bradshaw, but at an unknown date he changed it to Joseph Cecil Bradshaw. In 1871 the census referred to Bradshaw as a ‘scholar’ at 12 years old, suggesting he underwent schooling in Manchester. It is unclear whether or not he received any formal artistic training.

In 1879, Bradshaw married Emily Jan Slinger. It seems that during this period he was working as an artist and photographer, but in 1887, the partnership between Bradshaw and William Temple Battersby in the business of Artists and Photographers of 22 Victoria Street, Manchester, was dissolved by contract. However, Bradshaw continued the business in the future, under the name of Bradshaw and Battersby.

It is unknown exactly when it was that Bradshaw came to produce work and presumably live on the Isle of Man. His brother, John Champion, had been living on the island since 1871 - but during the years from 1887, it seems Joseph Bradshaw was still based in Manchester. He relocated to Ducie Chambers, Manchester with his brother Charles Champion Bradshaw (named George at birth) and started the production of cdv’s (Carte de visite, a format of small photographs) together under the name of ‘Bradshaw Brothers’.

Joseph Cecil Jnr was born in 1891. In 1898 and 1899, Joseph Bradshaw’s other two children, George Herbert and Ada Lilian, were born. Records show Bradshaw retired from portrait painting in 1911.

It is perhaps at this point, his retirement, that he moved to the Isle of Man - but it is thought he was active from 1906-1922, as a set of portraits of William Collisters and his wife, of the Isle of Man, are dated 1922.

It is unknown why Bradshaw produced the portraits of the relatively humble Collisters, but they were from Port Erin and Bradshaw’s brother, John, was living in the south of the island at the time, so it's possible they made a link that way. William Collisters was local to Port Erin as a coxswain for the lifeboat station based there. The signatures on Bradshaw’scarte-de-visite photographs match that on the portrait of the Collister’s.

Joseph Bradshaw Snr died in 1941, in Salford. This shows the artist moved back to the United Kingdom following his time in the Isle of Man. He lived to the age of 84.

COURTESY MANX MUSEUM

Physical Dimensions

Height

107cm (42.13")

Width

94cm (37.01")

Depth

10cm (3.94")

Declaration

Abersoch Antiques has dated this Edwardian Lady Oil Painting to the Edwardian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1159062

Dealers Internal Reference

LADY PIC J

Dealers Notes

Delivery arranged to all parts worldwide.

Clocks can be delivered including set up upon request.

Goods bought & sold, part exchange considered.

Description

fig 1. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 1. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

DIMENSIONS:

107CM TALL

94CM WIDE

10CM DEEP

ARTIST:

“

Biography: Joseph Cecil Bradshaw was the younger brother of established artist, John Champion Bradshaw.

Abersoch Antiques

Both men moved to the Isle of Man from Manchester and were professional artists/photographers.

fig 2. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 2. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

The youngest of five children to George Bagnall Bradshaw and Mary Dorothea Champion, Bradshaw was born in Cheetham, Manchester in 1858. His birth name was Joseph Wright Bradshaw, but at an unknown date he changed it to Joseph Cecil Bradshaw. In 1871 the census referred to Bradshaw as a ‘scholar’ at 12 years old, suggesting he underwent schooling in Manchester. It is unclear whether or not he received any formal artistic training.

fig 3. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 3. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

In 1879, Bradshaw married Emily Jan Slinger. It seems that during this period he was working as an artist and photographer, but in 1887, the partnership between Bradshaw and William Temple Battersby in the business of Artists and Photographers of 22 Victoria Street, Manchester, was dissolved by contract. However, Bradshaw continued the business in the future, under the name of Bradshaw and Battersby.

fig 4. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 4. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

It is unknown exactly when it was that Bradshaw came to produce work and presumably live on the Isle of Man. His brother, John Champion, had been living on the island since 1871 - but during the years from 1887, it seems Joseph Bradshaw was still based in Manchester. He relocated to Ducie Chambers, Manchester with his brother Charles Champion Bradshaw (named George at birth) and started the production of cdv’s (Carte de visite, a format of small photographs) together under the name of ‘Bradshaw Brothers’.

fig 5. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 5. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

Joseph Cecil Jnr was born in 1891. In 1898 and 1899, Joseph Bradshaw’s other two children, George Herbert and Ada Lilian, were born. Records show Bradshaw retired from portrait painting in 1911.

It is perhaps at this point, his retirement, that he moved to the Isle of Man - but it is thought he was active from 1906-1922, as a set of portraits of William Collisters and his wife, of the Isle of Man, are dated 1922.

fig 6. An Edwardian oil portrait painting of a seated woman in a dark dress holding a small dog, displayed inside a heavy gilt frame. — fig 6. Edwardian Chirpy Lady with Dog Oil Portrait 'J Cecil Bradshaw'

It is unknown why Bradshaw produced the portraits of the relatively humble Collisters, but they were from Port Erin and Bradshaw’s brother, John, was living in the south of the island at the time, so it's possible they made a link that way. William Collisters was local to Port Erin as a coxswain for the lifeboat station based there. The signatures on Bradshaw’scarte-de-visite photographs match that on the portrait of the Collister’s.

Joseph Bradshaw Snr died in 1941, in Salford. This shows the artist moved back to the United Kingdom following his time in the Isle of Man. He lived to the age of 84.

COURTESY MANX MUSEUM