Ida Orvall, Portrait of a Gentleman at a Table, 19th-century Antique Oil Painting

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

A characterful late-19th-century portrait of a weary old gentleman dressed in traditional clothing. His right arm is draped over the back of a chair and he holds a glass in his left hand.

The artist, Ida Johanna Sophia Orvall (1862-1950), has captured his posture and expression skillfully. We particularly love his outfit with its bold colours and confident brushwork.

There are very few works by Orvall still in circulation and this is a rare find. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and was predominantly known as an illustrator.

In 1899, she became a deaconess (a woman belonging to an order or sisterhood) and dedicated her life to helping the sick and poor. It’s interesting to consider this decision with the painting in mind. Did she paint this as a commentary on temperance?

The Sormlands Museum holds two photographs of Ida that can be viewed here:

https://sokisamlingar.sormlandsmuseum.se/items/show/417078

https://sokisamlingar.sormlandsmuseum.se/items/show/417079

The portrait is housed within a period gilded frame with a name plaque.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 30½” x 34½” / 77cm x 88cm

Year of creation: c. 1890

Provenance: Germany

Condition: Very presentable following a light restoration. Areas of craquelure but the paint layer is stable. Frame with some age-related wear.

Physical Dimensions

Height

88cm (34.65")

Width

77cm (30.31")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA795246

Description

A characterful late-19th-century portrait of a weary old gentleman dressed in traditional clothing. His right arm is draped over the back of a chair and he holds a glass in his left hand.

“

The artist, Ida Johanna Sophia Orvall (1862-1950), has captured his posture and expression skillfully.

Brave Fine Art

We particularly love his outfit with its bold colours and confident brushwork.

fig 1. Ida Orvall, Portrait Of A Gentleman At A Table, 19th-Century Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Ida Orvall, Portrait of a Gentleman at a Table, 19th-century Antique Oil Painting

There are very few works by Orvall still in circulation and this is a rare find. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and was predominantly known as an illustrator.

In 1899, she became a deaconess (a woman belonging to an order or sisterhood) and dedicated her life to helping the sick and poor. It’s interesting to consider this decision with the painting in mind. Did she paint this as a commentary on temperance?