How do I identify a 1920s portrait?

Look for stylistic clues such as interwar fashion, hairstyles like the bob, and art movements including Art Deco and Fauvism. Canvas preparations and framing styles also provide chronological markers. Signatures, dates inscribed on the reverse, and artist records help confirm the exact decade of execution alongside traditional subject matter.

What surfaces were used?

Artists of this era primarily painted with oil on stretched canvas or wooden panels. Some works utilise heavy paper supports mounted securely to backing boards. Support materials often bear manufacturer stamps on the reverse, which assist in dating the physical components of the artwork.

How should I hang these paintings?

Keep oil paintings away from direct sunlight and dramatic temperature fluctuations to prevent the canvas from warping or the paint from cracking. Ensure the wall fixings match the weight of the frame. Allow adequate clearance from heat sources to protect both the wooden stretcher bars and the historical giltwood frames.

What is academic realism?

Academic realism refers to the formal painting style taught in European art academies during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It prioritises strict proportions, smooth finishes, and lifelike representation. Works in this style demonstrate the artist's rigorous training in anatomy, lighting, and traditional composition.