Lot 168: EARLY 19TH CENTURY PORTRAIT OF BALDING GENTLEMEN ATTRIBUTED TO MICHELE FELICE

CORNE' 1752-1845. Painting depicts a balding gentleman with ruffled white collar in black coat with brass buttons. Possibly a sea captain. It is framed in a frame from the period but probably not the original frame. Painting is unsigned but the structure on the reverse has an impressed inscription which includes the date "1814" and other words which can not be made out, may be the name of the sitter. A note attached to this lot indicates that at one time a photo of the painting was shown to someone at the Peabody Museum who identified the artist as being Michele Felice Corne. The Peabody had a very important and extensive exhibition in 1972 of Corne's work and a very fine book featuring numerous examples of his work and descriptions with information and history accompany this lot. The painted style and use of shadows to delineate the facial features of this painting very much coincide with the illustrated works of the artist. SIZE: 17" x 23 1/2". ACTUAL SIZE: 24" w x 30 1/2" t. CONDITION: The painting was cleaned and had some restoration long ago. 9-79480.