Posted 11 years ago
lostone777
(45 items)
This is what looks to be a watercolor portrait by a company called Lafayette Ltd, who had offices in Belfast, London, etc. There is a name written on the back (actually there is a name written in pencil near the top, and then a name written in pen as well) that appears to be Mrs. Firth Du Toit. I did find a Charlotte Firth who married a C.P. Du Toit in South Africa circa 1860s.
I am putting this in the "help" section because I'd like to know more about Lafayette ltd and whether or not they painted portraits, and also if anyone can perhaps read the writing on the back (maybe someone will arrive at a different name?) Thank you!
I don't know the company, but the technique looks like tinting of a photograph vs. an original painting of the subject.
Tinting of images was often done by artists and was offered as an add on to the price of a photograph. Some tinters were outstanding and the image looks more like an artists painting than a touched photograph.
Here are examples from my postings:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/67217-beautiful-woman-in-tinted-cabinet-card
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/31765-boy-in-dress-cabinet-card-with-expert-ar
scott