This gorgeous pastel is just amazing. We love her smile and the lovely expression in her eyes, and we feel that she will lift the mood and improve the energy in any room. We enjoyed writing a special blog post about her,  provide reference material on the painter John Russell and how to care for and transport a pastel painting.  (Blog - Black Hat Gallery)

Unfortunately, we don't know who she is. As such, you can claim her as one of your most beautiful ancestors.

The pastel itself measures 61cm x 46cm, whilst the frame measures 86cm by 69cm. As described in the blog, we had her reframed as her old frame (although beautiful), was not suitable for a pastel painting, which are very delicate. Pastel is made by mixing powdered pigments with a binder (usually gum arabic), shaping this mixture into sticks, and leaving it to dry. These crayons or sticks of pigment are very crumbly and their colored powder adheres only loosely to paper, which was often roughened in advance to create a surface for the material to cling to. Works in pastel are thus fragile, as movement can loosen the powder. Nevertheless, pastel paintings are often more spontaneous and vivacious than oil and water colors.

John Russell RA (29 March 1745 – 20 April 1806) was an English painter renowned for his portrait work in oil and pastels, and as a writer and teacher of painting techniques. He is considered to be one of the most prolific pastellists in eighteenth-century Britain. Having studied under the pastellist Francis Cotes (1726–1770), Russell produced a treatise, Elements of Painting with Crayons, in 1772 and was appointed “Crayon Painter to the Prince of Wales” in 1785.

Amazingly, he appears to have made use of only fourteen pigments, which he blended on steel blue paper prepared with an even deeper blue ground. He blended his pastels together to obtain a wide range of hues and tones. Looking at his work, the deep blue background features often as the background in his work.

The paper background was glued on linen for greater stability. Although graced with royal patronage and able to command very high prices for his work, the bulk  of Russell’s portraits were executed for the wealthy middle classes, often in commemoration of marriage or children. Although John Russell kept a diary all his life, this gives little insight in to the identity of his sitters, but mainly reflected on his religious life.

If you would like to have the price for this outstanding work of art or have any questions, please give us a call or send us an email.

This wonderful watercolor by Mr. Alfred de Bréanski RBA is dated 1882. Mr. B is totally charmed by this colourful painting and has appointed himself as chief custodian for the time being. It shows a romantic couple in a rowing boat with the lady holding a parasol. In the background there are a few beautifully painted cows, who are enjoying the water too. The artist has used a limited color palette in this work, but it is very effective.

We have reframed the watercolor using museum quality mounts, so it is good to go for a few decades again. Like with any other watercolor painting, please do not hang it in direct daylight as the colors will then fade. The frame measures 63 by 50 cm, whilst the painting itself measures 33 x 22 cm.

Alfred de Bréanski Senior (1852 - 1928) was a famous landscape painter who became known for his resplendent views of the Welsh and Scottish Highlands. In addition, he also painted many views of the Thames. Often bathed in a flood of golden light, these landscapes usually feature water and cattle or sheep on grassy banks; sometimes a solitary figure is seen the distance. Born in Greenwich near London, Alfred was the eldest son of Leopold Bréanski. Alfred was not the only painter in the family as his younger brother and sister, Gustave and Julie, were also painters. Alfred made his debut at the Royal Academy in 1872 and he continued to exhibit there until 1918. He also exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Cambrian Academy.  In 1873, just after his Royal Academy debut, Alfred de Bréanski married Annie Roberts, a Welsh painter, whom he met on his travels through Wales. They raised a family of seven children, including Alfred, Jr. and Arthur who also became painters.

We found this very beautiful watercolor in an auction in the UK and we really liked it from the very time we looked at it. We did find that it needed a bit of love when it arrived. As such we took it out of the frame and replaced the old discolored paper mounts with museum quality mounts, restored the original oak frame and retained the old glass, which is kind of wavy.

The painting shows people chatting and relaxing on a bridge over a small stream, whilst a jester plays the flute. There is another bridge in the background. A hunter with his crossbow returns and meets his wife and baby and a fisherman carries his fishing rod on his way home. Children are dancing, whilst people watch them enjoy themselves. The only person who looks a little put out is the little boy carrying reeds The size of the frame is a sizeable 92.5 cm by 51.5 cm. The watercolor itself measures 86.5 cm by 28.0 cm.

The painting is signed W. Ross Keane, but unfortunately our research did not yield any information on the painter. Given the style in which the picture was painted, we believe it was done in the late 19th century given the Arts and Crafts style in which it was made. It celebrates the end of the day when people have finished their daily chores and have time to relax. William Morris, one of the founders of the Arts and Crafts movement, believed passionately in the importance of creating beautiful, well-made objects that could be used in everyday life. He thought that products should be produced in a way that allowed their makers to remain connected both with their product and with other people. As such William Morris looked particularly at the medieval period for simpler and better models for the production of objects based on artisan workshops.

Unfortunately since William Morris' time, life has become even more and more hectic. As such, we hope you will enjoy this painting and tell yourself  'relax' !!!!

The Lily Garden is a limited edition lithograph by the Californian artist Ander Kase. It is numbered 181 of 400 and has been signed by the artist. Paintings by Monet are too expensive for the Black Hat Gallery, but we think that with this beautifully framed lithograph we have picked a winner for you!  This sizeable work measures framed 80 x 80 cm (lithograph itself is 55 x 55 cm) and is ready to go on your wall immediately and will give you years of enjoyment.

Ander Kase is a contemporary artist who was inspired by both his parents and Godfather, renowned Swedish sculptor, Ölle Adrin. A graduate of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design an subsequently, earned a second degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the reputable and prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

This wonderful watercolor painting is witty and romantic. There is some serious flirting going on here! This charming painting has been rendered in pinks, greens and earth colors. It would go nicely in the relationship corner or even in the travel zone of your house for those of you who have the intention of going to Venice when circumstances allow us to travel again.

The artist has signed her initials on the painting and signed it in full in verso. The water color is framed with acid free mount board and it has been framed in a neutral wooden frame.

Size: framed 40 x 50 cm

This framed mezzotint by the famous Irish engraver Mr. James McArdell was made in 1758 and was sold from the Golden Head in Covent Garden, London, where Mr. McArdell had set up his shop in 1750. The Rijksmuseum also has a copy of this mezzotint in its archive: (www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/RP-P-OB-32.573)

The original of this jolly musical girl was painted by the Dutch painter Mr. Jan Miense Molenaer (or Molenaar) (1609-1668) in 1661. The painting is in a private collection according to our research.
The mezzotint is newly framed with museum quality mount board. The frame itself is old and has some blemishes. The mezzotint and frame look well together in our opinion.

Size: framed 46.5 x 57.5cm, the picture is 23 x 33 cm

Hide and Seek on the beach!

If you think you can not successfully play hide and seek on the beach, this kitty will show you how it is done! He shows his cheeky face, whilst the doggy and his friend Seagull are still checking out the beach shack. Doesn't the lighthouse just look like a slightly disguised rocket?

This fun watercolor by Julia Pamely is very colorful in bright and beautiful shades and will make you smile for years when you see it. The watercolor painting is mounted in an acid free mount and has been framed in a neutral wooden frame measuring 30 x 40 cm.

Hanging out on the beach! 

There is no dirty laundry here although the crab appears to be looking for mischief.  Have you ever seen such generous seagulls?  These seagulls solemnly promise not to poop on the clean laundry. Mrs. B. sniggered at Mr. B's car who had received a bombardment of seagull poop. Instant karma; a seagull immediately pooped on her head. I kid you not, ask Mr. B who retains fond memories of the occasion.  This painting is full of color and includes purple, red, white, pink, green and grey and as such can boost many zones in your house. Julia has signed her initials on the painting and the painting is fully signed in verso.

The watercolor painting is mounted in an acid free mount and has been framed in a neutral wooden frame measuring 30 x 40 cm.

Seaside Fun

We love Julia’s water color paintings as they are full of fun and remind us of a relaxing vacation at the seaside. They are full of color and include purple, red, white, pink, green and grey and as such can boost many zones in your house. Julia has signed her initials on the painting and the painting is fully signed in verso.

The water color is mounted in an acid free mount and has been framed in a neutral wooden frame measuring 30 x 40 cm.

Do the helpful people zone of your house need a boost? This wonderfully witty watercolor painting shows some super helpful friends to help balance this sector of your house. We even have a little black and white going on here, together with purples, shades of blue and green, a spot of yellow, red and pink as well as earth tones.  Kay has signed her initials on the painting and signed it in full in verso.

The water color is framed with acid free mount board and it has been framed in a neutral wooden frame.

Size: framed 40 x 50 cm