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ID #SA1167702
FOR SALE
£800
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Learning to Read, Ca 1890, Mother and Son, Impressionist Oil on Canvas
Skippings Fine Arts
for sale €936     $1,016
£800
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2018
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    Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert
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Learning to Read, Ca 1890, Mother and Son, Impressionist Oil on Canvas

19th century
Description

A very tender and intimate painting depicting a woman and a young boy, almost certainly her son. The mother is seated closely behind the boy, looking down with a gentle, protective expression, while the son appears to be focused, perhaps on a book. Maybe she is teaching him to read?

The faces and hands are sketched with great skill, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and calm. The painting, with its visible brushstrokes and warm composition, gives off a deep emotion. It is unsigned, but reminds me of the work of Anders Zorn (1860-1920), the Swedish Impressionist active in Paris, where our picture was acquired.

Restored, with stretcher marks visible from certain angles, our oil on canvas measures 41 x 31.5 cm. The overall framed size in a silver patinated frame is 45 x 36 cm.

Physical Dimensions
Height
41cm (16.14")
Width
31cm (12.20")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Declaration

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Impressionist Mother Son Oil Painting to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1167702
Dealers Notes

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.

Description
A very tender and intimate painting depicting a woman and a young boy, almost certainly her son.
“
The mother is seated closely behind the boy, looking down with a gentle, protective expression, while the son appears to be focused, perhaps on a book.
Skippings Fine Arts

Maybe she is teaching him to read?

fig 1. An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background.
fig 1. Learning to Read, Ca 1890, Mother and Son, Impressionist Oil on Canvas

The faces and hands are sketched with great skill, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and calm. The painting, with its visible brushstrokes and warm composition, gives off a deep emotion. It is unsigned, but reminds me of the work of Anders Zorn (1860-1920), the Swedish Impressionist active in Paris, where our picture was acquired.

Restored, with stretcher marks visible from certain angles, our oil on canvas measures 41 x 31.5 cm. The overall framed size in a silver patinated frame is 45 x 36 cm.

Height
41cm (16.14")
Width
31cm (12.20")
Depth
1cm (0.39")
Date of Manufacture

Skippings Fine Arts has dated this Impressionist Mother Son Oil Painting to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1167702
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2018

Modern french & continental pictures selected by a former french auction house expert

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Skippings Fine Arts Profile Page

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background.
1 / 5
Archive I An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background.

Learning to read, ca 1890, Mother and Son, Impressionist oil on canvas

Archive II An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background. View II
Archive III An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background. View III
Archive IV An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background. View IV
Archive V An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Skippings Fine Arts

Skippings Fine Arts
Telephone 0747 257 2398
Location
Norfolk
United Kingdom

By appointment
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified Since Feb 2018
Items For Sale 168
Items Sold 684
Skippings Fine Arts
Skippings Fine Arts
Verified Since Feb 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom, , By appointment
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/skippingsfinearts
Verified
Feb 2018
For Sale
168
Sold
684
An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background.
Learning to read, ca 1890, Mother and Son, Impressionist oil on canvas
Ref: SA1167702
An oil painting on canvas depicting a profile view of a woman with dark hair in a bun next to a young boy reading a book against a warm ochre background.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Late 19th-century Impressionist portraiture is defined by expressive brushwork, an emphasis on natural light, and candid depictions of daily life rather than formal posed portraiture. Artists focused on capturing emotional intimacy and atmosphere using varied textures and rich color palettes.

Paintings from the 1890s were typically executed using oil paints bound with linseed oil on natural flax linen or cotton canvas stretched over wooden stretcher frames. Ground layers generally consisted of gesso or lead-based primers to prepare the surface for paint application.

Authentic oil paintings from this period exhibit natural age-related craquelure across the paint surface, natural yellowing of historical varnishes, and oxidisation of the wooden stretcher bars and canvas reverse. Hand-cut wooden keys and period-correct stretcher construction also signal authenticity.

Designers frequently position antique oil paintings above sideboards, within curated gallery walls, or framed in contemporary minimalist surrounds to create visual contrast against modern interiors. Dedicated picture lights or focused spotlighting can highlight the impasto texture and tonal depth.

To preserve an antique canvas, display the artwork away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and high humidity. Cleaning should strictly be performed by a professional fine art conservator using appropriate non-solvent solutions to remove surface grime without damaging the paint film.
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