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'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.
Harrington Antiques
for sale €521     $565
£445
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

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'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.

19th century
Description

An oil on canvas depicting a ghostly apparition ascending stairs towards streams of light. Signed L. S. Wren to the lower right.

Stamp for William Whitehead, Carver & Gilder, Lansdowne Terrace verso he was known to operate a studio from this address between 1850-1885. The Windsor & Newton canvas stamp verso was in use c.1880-90. Both of these stamps indicate this works like likely dates c.1880s.

L. S. Wren is an unknown artist but the William Whitehead stamp verso indicates the artist, or this work at least, was well considered at the time. Well-established local artists, such as Thomas Baker, sold their work through William Whitehead's studio, indicating it was a respected establishment in the local art community.

The Windsor and Newton canvas stamp verso is off centre, initially indicating that the work had been cut down from a larger painting. Upon examination outside of the frame, the work has in fact been painted over another painting, which appears to be of a church. The remnants of such remain to the outer edges of the canvas (please see photographs). The canvas was then cut down and mounted to fit this work.

The work is housed in a period frame which has some knocks and and small historic repairs but again it displays well and compliments the work. There is an area of craquelure to the lower right and the varnish is a little aged, but overall the work displays well.

Dimensions:-

Height: 39cm

Width: 33cm

Depth: 4.5cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Physical Dimensions
Height
39cm (15.35")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
4.5cm (1.77")
Declaration

Harrington Antiques has dated this Victorian Symbolist Oil Painting to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1205668
Dealers Internal Reference
7920
Dealers Notes

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The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description
An oil on canvas depicting a ghostly apparition ascending stairs towards streams of light. Signed L. S. Wren to the lower right.
Stamp for William Whitehead, Carver & Gilder, Lansdowne Terrace verso he was known to operate a studio from this address between 1850-1885.
Harrington Antiques

The Windsor & Newton canvas stamp verso was in use c.1880-90. Both of these stamps indicate this works like likely dates c.1880s.

fig 1. An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
fig 1. 'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.

L. S. Wren is an unknown artist but the William Whitehead stamp verso indicates the artist, or this work at least, was well considered at the time. Well-established local artists, such as Thomas Baker, sold their work through William Whitehead's studio, indicating it was a respected establishment in the local art community.

fig 2. An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
fig 2. 'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.

The Windsor and Newton canvas stamp verso is off centre, initially indicating that the work had been cut down from a larger painting. Upon examination outside of the frame, the work has in fact been painted over another painting, which appears to be of a church. The remnants of such remain to the outer edges of the canvas (please see photographs). The canvas was then cut down and mounted to fit this work.

fig 3. An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
fig 3. 'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.

The work is housed in a period frame which has some knocks and and small historic repairs but again it displays well and compliments the work. There is an area of craquelure to the lower right and the varnish is a little aged, but overall the work displays well.

Dimensions:-

Height: 39cm

Width: 33cm

Depth: 4.5cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Height
39cm (15.35")
Width
33cm (12.99")
Depth
4.5cm (1.77")
Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this Victorian Symbolist Oil Painting to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1205668
Dealers Internal Ref
7920
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2021

Antiques & decorative interior pieces.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Harrington Antiques Profile Page

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An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
1 / 10
Archive I An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.

'The Ascension', Signed L.S. Wren, c.1880. Oil On Canvas.

Archive II An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View II
Archive III An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View III
Archive IV An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View IV
Archive V An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View V
Archive VI An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View VI
Archive VII An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View VII
Archive VIII An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View VIII
Archive IX An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View IX
Archive X An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame. View X
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Location
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United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 87
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Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
87
Sold
801
An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
'The Ascension', Signed L.S. Wren, c.1880. Oil On Canvas.
Ref: SA1205668
An 1880 oil painting depicting a luminous figure ascending steps towards light, set inside a heavy carved giltwood frame.
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Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Late 19th-century Symbolist art emerged as a movement focusing on spiritual, mystical, and allegorical themes rendered through expressive imagery rather than direct realism.

Artists during this period applied oil-based pigments to hand-stretched linen or cotton canvas, typically housed in wooden frames decorated with plaster or gesso moulding and gilding.

Authentic canvases from this period often feature natural surface craquelure, period-correct iron or brass fixings, oxidisation on back timbers, and contemporary artist signatures.

A period oil painting in a carved gilt frame provides architectural contrast when hung above a sideboard or layered within a curated gallery wall alongside neutral modern decor.

Keep the canvas away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and radiators, removing dust gently with a soft dry brush rather than liquid cleaners.
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