Posted 8 years ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
I found this beautiful pastel portrait at Goodwill today. Obviously done by a very talented artist. It is signed in the lower right corner J. Webster Brown. He's not a listed artist and believe me there are a lot of Brown's in the art directory I use, but that doesn't mean he wasn't well known locally. It could even be a nom de plume. Some artists did not want to be known for their commissioned works that paid the bills. As far as the date goes Grumbacher started business in 1905 and by the 60's they were an art material empire. I get a 60's vibe from this portrait but it could be earlier. The chair and her dress look a bit older than her hair style. There is a name scratched out on the back that I couldn't decipher which could be hers. -Mike-
Beautiful!
Thanks Bonnie :)...she is quite pretty. Some people are turned off by other peoples portrait's staring back at them. Doesn't bother me in the least when they're well done.
Great picture mike awesome looking condition for rits age.
Beautiful, & she looks like she would be crazy about me! LOL! I know a lot of artists, & this one has true talent. "Eye-candy".
BB you're cradle snatching now!!
She is delightful Mike.
As you say, very well done.
Thanks Caper, Blunder (you rascal ) and Karen.... Yes, she is beautiful and so delicate. Removing it from the frame was nerve racking. One bump would smear it. It really could use another hit of fixative. Pastels should never touch the glass and be matted but this panel is heavy board and bowed enough to prevent that. There were streaks of pastel dust on the inside of the glass which had to be cleaned. The paper towel was black when I had finished. Even before cleaning the colors popped now they glow !
My Mum was a pastel artist and used hairspray as a fixative. I don't know how long it lasts however!
Oh yes, I've done that too. I used to paint and draw myself. Another thing I've let lapse over the years. We haven't had a can of hair spray around the house in decades...lol. Good old Aqua Net used to do the trick !
Y'all are surprised? LOL!!
Very nice Mike but what is a non de plume?
1GF. It's "nom de plume". French for "pen name". C'est bon?
.....or I guess you could just call it and "alias" at any rate, it may not be the artist's real name. :)
.....you still staring at this young girl blunder...lol
Hey Mike, I luv redheads!! Especially young! You're just jealous because young girls luv my "ultra-blond" hair. LOL!!