Biedermeier 19th Century Pastel - Portrait of a Gentleman

Description

A fine mid 19th century pastel portrait of a gentleman wearing a silk necktie and navy jacket. Well presented behind glass in an antique gilt frame. Unsigned. On paper.

Condition

Some wrinkling to the left and lower edge of the paper. Overall the artwork is in very good condition for its age. Imperfections to the original glass. Minor wear to the frame, including scuffs and small chips. Overall the frame is in very good condition for its age.

Size

55 x 46.5cm (21.7" x 18.3")
Framed Size: 67 x 59cm (26.4" x 23.2")

Collection Information

Pastels enjoyed a surge in popularity in eighteenth-century Europe, becoming, for a time, the medium of choice for portraiture. The medium was appreciated for both its practicality and aesthetic qualities. Unlike oil painting, which required cumbersome equipment, multiple sittings, and lengthy drying times, pastels were portable, non-yellowing, and did not require drying time, thereby reducing the number of sittings needed. Their visual qualities, such as their stylistic diversity, naturalism, and strength of colour, also made them ideal for portraiture. The brilliant powdery surface that pastels produce reflects the light and enhances the complexion of the sitter. Although initially used for smaller works, innovations in glass manufacturing allowed for pastels to be executed on the same scale as oils. The costly process of making glass also made pastels a luxurious item, and therefore a means of showing the owner’s wealth and prestige.