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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: TROOPER ROLLO on Monday 13 December 21 19:28 GMT (UK)
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This is Annie wife of Thomas Forest we think.
If the picture could be dated this might help.
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Late 1850 early 1860s I would guess, it would help if we knew when she was born.
Carol
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Agree with Carol about the date.
I see that her wedding ring is very prominent. When did they marry?
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I was bored so I tidied her up a little without destroying the charm, hope you don't mind.
Carol
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.... and a vintage option, lovely image to have.
Carol
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We are not exactly sure who this is.
It is most likely Sarah Legge who married Henry Samuel Rowles in 1847.
I don't know how the costume fits in with this.
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This is Annie wife of Thomas Forest we think.
If the picture could be dated this might help.
Have you now discounted Annie. When did Thomas and Annie marry?
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I was given the original information by a relative who is now not certain it is correct.
Looking at the family tree I now think it is most likely Sarah Legge.
It is so dissappointing to have such a lovely old painting and not be sure of who it actually is.
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Are you able to give the dates of all the females who it might be?
It's a lovely painting.
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Annie the wife of Thomas Forrest was born circa 1810 and married 1839.
Sarah Forrest born 1862 and married 1885 and died 1949.
I hope this helps.
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Given that Carol and I both think it's 1850s-60s, I don't think it can be Sarah and the person looks a little young for someone born 1810, who would be in her 40s - 50s :-\
Is there anyone born 1820s-30s?
ADD
Or, as it's a painting, it could be earlier - echoes of a young Queen Victoria - which would bring the Forest marriage date into play.
I'll have a look at some earlier paintings.
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I thought it could be a copy of a tinted Ambrotype or Daguerreotype, there are sepia undertones to the image and parts missed which leads me to that conclusion.
But I'm just guessing, either way, the date for the image remains the same.
Carol
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I've just lightened xs lots to see detail of dress.
Tight sleeves to wrist and possible organ pleats might just take it back to 1840s if it is an oil sketch
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It does look like Oil Pastel or chalk Pastel doesn't it.
Carol
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It's a very free drawing style, Carol. I'm not sure what to make of it.
Stuart - what is the base - paper, card or ??
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I only have a copy of this picture as a relative has the framed original.
He says it looks like paper.
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Can he tell if it's a photograph that might have been overpainted, a painting, a photocopy or somthing else? It's one of those puzzles that one would need to take out of the frame and look at it - front and back.
Given the dates, it's definitely not Sarah.
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I'll send him a message and try to find out.
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Just had a message back and it reads:-
Thank you for your message. It would be great if someone could put a date to the portraits.
The portraits were watercolour, or maybe another water based pigment. Definitely not oils.
I am certain that the pictures were in their original frames and mountings and that they had not been removed from the frames since they were originally produced.
The backing paper covering the reverse of the pictures was slightly torn but there were no signs that it had ever been replaced.
I never took the pictures out of the frames, so do not know if they were on art board or paper.
I commissioned the photographer who photographed the pictures through the glass on a digital camera.
Because the pictures were photographed digitally, the photographer was able to remove the majority of the “foxing” and generally clean up the image before final printing.
It might be possible for a fashion specialist at one of the Museums to put a date on the portraits.
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It sounds to me as if it may well be a painting from an original photo or partially imagined.
I used to draw and paint images from photos of my family. Also, the clothing could be imagined or taken from other images. It might well have been done very much later than the possible original photo. It might not be either of the two ladies that you mention. The only way of telling is to find actual photos of them to compare their likeness.
I can see elements of 1840s and 1850s in there. Carol and I first dated it as 1850s-60s. I think that that's the best estimate.
Gadget
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Thank you ladies for your help.
The pictures have just come to light as my relative clears the house of his step-mother.
I will ask him to look for any photographs that might help.
Best wishes for Christmas and a big thankyou.