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ID #SA1241392
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£345
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'The Ascension', Signed L.s. Wren, C.1880. Oil on Canvas.
For sale by Harrington Antiques
for sale €404     $438
£345
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2021
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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 Religious Oil Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1241392
Dealers Internal Reference
7920
Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Paypal, bank transfer or cheque. We also offer a 'Pay In 3' payment service through our website.

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We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

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 oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded 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 oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded 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 oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded 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 Religious Oil Painting to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1241392
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 oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame.
1 / 10
Archive I An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame.

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

Archive II An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View II
Archive III An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View III
Archive IV An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View IV
Archive V An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View V
Archive VI An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View VI
Archive VII An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View VII
Archive VIII An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View VIII
Archive IX An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View IX
Archive X An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques
Telephone 07552 767190
Location
Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 72
Items Sold 851
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
72
Sold
851
An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame.
'The Ascension', Signed L.S. Wren, c.1880. Oil On Canvas.
Ref: SA1241392
An oil on canvas artwork depicting a luminescent figure ascending stairs within diagonal light beams, presented in a heavily carved gilded frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
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Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectOil Painting
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Symbolism
  • MaterialOil on Canvas, Gilded Wood
  • ColourBlue and Gold
  • MotifsMoulded repeating pattern frame, Light ray composition, Staircase architecture, Ethereal silhouette
  • SizeH 39 cm (15 in) x W 33 cm (13 in) x D 4.5 cm (2 in)

This Victorian Symbolism oil painting, titled 'The Ascension' and signed by L.S. Wren, dates from circa 1880. The artwork depicts an ethereal silhouette ascending a staircase amidst diagonal light ray compositions in shades of blue and gold. The canvas is housed in a gilded wood frame decorated with a heavily carved, moulded repeating pattern featuring leaf motifs along the inner and outer borders. The frame exhibits minor knocks and small historic repairs, while the canvas shows craquelure to the lower right, an aged varnish, and off-centre canvas stamps verso. The piece measures 39 cm high, 33 cm wide, and 4.5 cm deep. Suitable for period and traditional interiors, this framed artwork functions well in a home today when hung on a living room wall or placed above the mantel. It brings historical character to a study or hallway, where the symbolic Victorian imagery and textured surface contribute to a gallery-style arrangement of historic paintings and decorative objects.

FAQs

Symbolist art of the late 19th century prioritised personal, mystical, and psychological themes over realistic depiction. Painters utilised dramatic light contrast, atmospheric brushwork, and allegorical subjects to convey internal emotional states rather than literal scenes.

Artworks from this period were predominantly executed using oil paints ground with linseed oil on natural linen or cotton canvas stretched across wooden stretcher bars. Frames were crafted from carved wood or plaster composition, often finished with gold leaf gilding.

Authenticity is evaluated through fine age-related surface cracking known as craquelure, period-appropriate canvas weave, oxidation on the reverse wooden stretchers, and the presence of artist signatures or period framing labels.

Dark-toned 19th-century oil paintings serve as strong dramatic accents when positioned above a fireplace mantle or placed on a dark feature wall. They can also provide historical contrast when layered into minimalist or contemporary gallery displays.

Maintain a stable indoor climate away from direct sunlight, central heating sources, and high humidity. Surface dust should be removed gently using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding water or chemical cleaning solvents.
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