Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Vintage Art



Hello everyone, My name is Lynn and Denise has graciously ask me to be a team member on Le Vintage Journal. I am a passionate vintage and antique hunter mostly for the cottage style of living. I have a boutique on line called The Vintage Nest.

I consider it a very happy day when I am out treasure hunting and run across an antique Victorian floral oil painting. Oh happy day, as I silently giggle and clap for joy. More passionate in conviction than technique, the late 19th century and early 20th century amateur paintings are still a subject of obsession today. We collectors hunt for these paintings on gut reaction, buying from our hearts without the aid of any experts. I can spot a floral a mile away. Often I am accompanied by a friend who will be on the look out for me, will spot what she thinks is one, come running, only for me to tell her it's from the 1930's or 40's or 50's or a new painting painted in an antiquey method. I once spotted a yard long in a sweet little antique shoppe in the suburbs of Chicago, while visiting my son, paid for it and held on to it for dear life all the way home to Virginia via air.

These pieces were painted in oil, often with varnished very dark backgrounds (my favorites) by amateurs studying still life, at their leisure and often on Sunday afternoon.....thus giving their work the name of Sunday afternoon paintings. Oil requires time, care and concentration and should the painter deliver less than a perfect stroke, it's very plain to see. Most of the ones I find I sell but I have one that I have kept which, frankly speaking, is pretty bad but I fell in love with it because of the pink roses and soft green leaves and the very elaborate gold guilt frame. The florals have become very popular with the cottage and shabby decorating style. They are less than perfect and easy to live with, just like some of my old antique furniture (and me). If you love it it works. Digging around in dusty antique places is my idea of a perfect outing. Pictured below is one of those now loved, but forgotten treasures I just recently acquired. This painting is of lilies and a tulip and executed on board. It measures approx. 15" x 12". For more photos of this charming antique painting you can go here.
My personal quest is to find one of these lovely old paintings in white roses.


4 comments:

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Lynn,
Love the painting and you know I love your store and sense of style.
xo~Tracie

trash talk said...

I love the old florals as well and I love to leave them unframed. Just a quirk of mine. Debbie

Anonymous said...

Love the wonderful example of victorian oil rendering. The lilys stand off the canvas. I also love the floral art of the 30's. The 'watercolor' bouquets are great and perfectly cottagy.

Debbi said...

Lovely article Lynn, and the painting is beautiful.