Hello, this is a 30"x36" print in a 43"x50" matted frame. The portrait was obtained without any background information in Northern Wisconsin, USA. The frame does not include glass. The frame's matting has a metallic ink surrounding the border's edges in gold, but the coloring has faded. A stamped pattern occurs throughout the matting in four colors. A red backing material (velvet?) is peering through in the top-left corner, and the frame itself is backed with a sheet of thin, naturally colored paper. A photo of the frame's rear was not attached to the report, but no damage has been observed. One 3/4" tear is present in the lower-left corner of the print, and minor scuff marks appear throughout. I have not been able to find another photograph of this size with this method of portraiture. I've had a difficult time determining the subject of the portrait, so any information you can add regarding the era and type of person/entity that would commission such a large portrait would aid my search greatly. Many thanks!
I purchased the piece from a private individual who found the portrait in a reclaimed storage unit. No history of the previous owner or origin location could be provided.
Dear Halle,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. The presented object appears to be a photographic reproduction or drawing after photography with the measurements of 30" x 36". This piece depicts the portrait of a woman wearing a costume of the late 19th century. The details of the surface like the mouth or the eyelid are a hint that this is a charcoal drawing. Perhaps this could be an overworked photographic print. Sadly this piece remains a bit mysterious in the judgment of its technique based on images. Because of the motif and this fact it is not a wanted object in the auction market.
An estimation would be between 20 to 40 USD.
This estimation is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and vary.
With kind regards,
Georg