It’s time for my Farmhouse French Friday Tip.
So this isn’t something I talk about a lot, but it’s something that I adore very much.
I love seeing portraits in a home. It gives it a sense of warmth and I like to think about that person in the portrait and what their lives must have been like.
This first portrait is my favorite. It’s an oil painting and I thought it was an original, but I believe it is a copy of a famous piece of art. From my online research, I believe it to be a very good copy of a painting by by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, a French realism painter, done in 1898. It’s hand painted copy, not a printed copy, and it’s truly lovely.
This piece below is amazing, because it is from the time of the French revolution.
This lady was a member of the French nobility and it is suspected that she lost her head during the revolution. So sad.
This next one is a measuring tape that I had in my shop during Christmas. I don’t have any more, but I found this charming. Of course, it’s a reproduction.
This next portrait is super big and beautiful. I’ve always loved this one too, since it reminds me of my two daughters. When I bought it my daughter was very young. She said, “Mom, that’s us.” Well I thought that was so sweet. This is a European oil painting. It was an investment, let’s put it that way.
The details are so beautiful.
Lastly I have charming portrait of a French lady. This too is an oil painting, but I don’t know how old it is. The frame is quite old.
She’s so lovely.
Well most of these are oil paintings, BUT you don’t have to buy an original to have a beautiful portrait in your home. You can always buy a giclee (print) and many on canvas are very nice.
I wish I had some links for you today to some gorgeous portraits, but I couldn’t find any. You can always check on ebay.
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The one of the two girls is particularly lovely! I love the brush stroke quality, the color and the light… 🙂 Stunning. Some wonderful frames on these too!!
Love the oil of the girls, it has the kind of look that just draws you in! I love old portraits, especially of children.
Always love what you inspire, and the awwwww! Inspiring vignettes and framed art.
I want to shop from your home, I see several things I need.
Xx
bisous
Doré
Happy Mother’s Day ! Thanks for the tips. Btw where did you find the gorgeous bed skirt picture in the first vignette? Jodi
Okay, I’ve looked twice, and I don’t see a bed skirt in the photos. If you’ll send me a photo, I’ll answer the question. I’m just not sure which one you are talking about.
A great and easy way that I’ve used to make your own DIY oil painting replica is to spray adhesive mount a poster print on a canvas board and then use Mod Podge to “paint strokes” to replicate hand brushing. It gives the poster texture, dries clear, and makes it appear painted. I did this with some Italy water scenes, framed them in beautifully detailed guilded frames….all for about $20 each, for those on a strict budget. I just would never have a serious art critic over for dinner, though! lol! =)
Allison, my Mom used to do that. Excellent idea!!
I love portraits also – especially of women and children. I’m not a fan of landscapes and while I do like men, they don’t come off welll in portraits. 🙂 🙂
I have a hand-tinted tintype of my grandfather in my living room. He was born July 4, 1900 and I’m guessing he’s about a year old in the picture. Grandpa is standing on a settee and wearing a white “gown” complete with lace edged ruffles and black shoes. His blond hair is curly and looks “styled” and is the only part that hints he’s a boy! My mom didn’t re-frame it when she inherited it even though it was in a very narrow and obviously inexpensive frame. I wanted to add a mat and use a heavier frame so I carefully took it apart. That’s when I discovered it was a tintype! My plan to re-frame it myself changed when I realized that it wasn’t just an old photo. It cost me over $250 to have it re-framed in a heavy antique gold frame with museum glass to protect it. Worth every penny! They were careful to keep the handwritten note from the back of the original frame. I will continue the tradition of passing it on to the oldest child in each generation.
Nancy, what a very special keepsake! Yes, definitely keep handing that down.
Interesting post, thanks for sharing!