English School (end XIX) - The Unfinished Choir Boy

\Artist: English School (end XIX)
Technique: Oil on canvas\Signature: Not signed\Dimensions: 80_70_4_cm
A rather intriguing painting possibly from a London-based artist at the end of the 19th Century. The verso carries the canvas suppliers stamp of P Shea, Researching the data on this reveals that the years span would be 1883-1897. An internet search on this name will provide you with this information which we can supply if you message us through Catawiki. The remarkable thing with is this tactile and rather captivating portrait was that it was never quite finished. The artists original pencil marks are still to be faintly seen outing, where they have intended to paint the young choir boy's hand. Why they never finished will always remain a mystery, and in a way it adds to the unique quality of the portrait. There is some evidence under the lamp that an artist or maybe restorer has added some paint to the sleeve area and to the area below the boy, and perhaps they may have intentionally also left the painting unfinished around the boy's hand maybe as a mark of respect to the artist who never quite finished off this intriguing late Victorian English School portrait. The successful bidder could have it finished of course; but somehow the unfinished nature adds to the conversation more as things have been left. . . . . Overall in sound condition with a later re-varnish and some embellishments as outlined above. The frame would appear to be a 20th Century reproduction ; but suits the painting well in our opinion. The frame is in very good condition and is offered as a gift with the painting. When we acquired the painting the frame came with it.