Pair Of Late 18th-Century Primitive / Naive Continental School Antique Folk-Art Full-length Oil On Canvas Portraits Of A Gentleman & His Wife

A large & impressive pair of 18th-Century primitive/naive Continental school portraits of an aristocratic gentleman and his wife, circa 1770.

When we see folk art like this, we have to acquire it whenever possible!

Oil on canvas.

The sitters and artist are unknown. The paintings bear no signature nor inscription.

Portrayed full-length in period attire, the gentleman standing between swagged drapes with a dark background,  wearing a powdered wig, white linen collar with a black stock, green frock coat, cerise waistcoat, green breeches, white stockings and leather shoes adorned with buckles. He holds a long, clay pipe in his right hand. The lady is also portrayed standing full-length between swagged drapes, her brown hair in the latest “coiffure francais” style, wearing a white collar intertwined with black lace, a lace neckline, a red bodice and a cream stomacher adorned with embroidery and black ribbon, her skirt open at the front to reveal a decorated cream-panelled petticoat bordered with embroidery. Her cuffs are finished with lace. She wears period shoes.

These two paintings, whilst naive, do have a certain period charm.

Presented in gilt-gesso and ebonised wooden frames of a later period.

Provenance – Unknown.

Condition – Please refer to the images. There is some surface wear and surface dirt commensurate with age. The portraits do display very well.

Size – Approx (unframed) 76 x 46 cm / With frame approx. 84 x 54 cm (30″ x 18 1/8″ / (33″ x 21 1/4″)