Prometheus Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.
The man sits in a chair reading a paper while the candle positioned on the table lights his cup of tea and illuminates gently his face. The only other source of light in the room is the fire just glowing in the background. A large amount of the work is shadow which intensifies where the light does shine. It is a beautifully thought-out work with a huge amount of atmosphere. The technique is very detailed where the light is most intense and moving away it becomes more and more loose as the natural ability to see detail diminishes. The painting is in good untouched condition it has a gloss varnish most likely to help intensify the difference between light and dark. The work is painted in thick oils and has developed some craquelure over time and there are some small areas of restoration in the periphery. The work is signed and dated in full to the lower right: J Ford Jones 1881. John Ford Jones 1860-1936 was born and raised in Liverpool and a lifetime resident of that city. He was an original member of the Liver Sketching Club and a lifetime member of the Liverpool Artists Club and was the cataloguer of their collection. An artist in various mediums and styles he is best know for his etchings of the streets and buildings of Liverpool. He exhibited at the Birmingham Royal Society of Artists and at the Royal Cambrian Academy but most often in his native Liverpool where he exhibited a remarkable 140 works at the Walker Art Gallery. This work is a large and impressive piece and likely an exhibited work. The painting is framed in a modern gilt frame which has an antiqued finish and works very well with the piece. The whole has a great decorative look and is ready to hang.
Overall sizes in inches including frame: 26 ¾ by 34 ¼
Prometheus Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.
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