AIBU to buy the painting?

[thegreenlight]

I have fallen in love with a large oil portrait of a beautiful late Georgian woman - I only live in a 3 bed semi and having lots of renovation work done soon. With architect fees we are tight (renovation money coming when remortgage goes through early next year) but it’s always been my ambition to own a proper portrait of a Georgian lady (I have a deep interest in social history and costume of that specific period) she is honestly the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life. I never thought it was something I could achieve. It’s a big birthday for me early next year - should I get her? She’s on reserve right now, DH has said yes but I’ve never spent this much money on myself before. Am I crazy even to consider it?

As a teenager I was resolutely sensible. I didn't buy a gorgeous, hand made, tiara for £150 because what on Earth would I use a tiara for an it was a lot of money.

I still wish I had bought it, 15 years on.

I too have buying regret, but it was a Victorian painting. I thought I was being sensible by sticking to a low upper limit, but wish I'd bid a bit higher. That was years ago now.

Go for it op. It’d be great to see a pic on the wall when it arrives, nothing identifying but just to see what it’s like up

I thought she was cupping her own breast !

do you know anyone that can give you a second opinion on value; not all oil paintings are worth thousands, victorian oil portraits often only make 2-300 at auction it is lovely but is it signed? if you bought it and found out it was worth less would that matter to you? if not buy it
your original link says early victorian not georgian but what really matters is how much you like it

I thought I would hate it but I can see the appeal !

Whilst I have what most would describe as a lovely home, a few years ago I looked at it thought nothing here is just mine. Everything belonged to DH and I together. This also came with the realisation I rarely bought anything for myself and always put the children first (our youngest is now sixteen.)
There is one particular brand of pottery I loved so thought bollocks and began collecting it. I only buy vintage pieces that I know I could get my money back on if I go off it. I now have a beautiful collection of fairly rare pieces and it gives friends and family a hint for Christmas and Birthdays. Buy the painting.

It' nice OP, but I would offer substantially less.

One day DH and I drove past an art gallery in the King’s Road and I spotted a painting in the window. We stopped, went in, and fell in love. It was £1,100 (a lot for us). We did think about it (overnight), but went back and bought it the following day. Twenty-five years later, I’m looking at it as I type and we both still love it. Buy it.

Love this.... 🤗

It looks good value to me for that money.

Ask if it would need restoration or just a revarnish to stop the paint coming off. Ask the dealer to help you to look for a signature. Also ask as much as you can about the provenance and the family, simply because, if the dealer retires, or moves abroad, it will be too late to find out such facts, and these will be interesting.

I am intrigued as to the symbolism of the pine cone.

Having a very similar dilemma about a pair of paintings I saw in an antique shop at the weekend of a farmer and his wife. As we’ve just had some work done on the roof which we’ve yet to pay for I think I’m going to miss out on them, but I’m dreading going back and them being gone. I say get her!

The frame looks original and a nice gold leaf colour.

Ask if it has been relined and what, if anything, was inscribed on the back. The research, as to who it is, will be interesting. I wonder what she is holding in her hand? It looks like trees in the background, behind her right shoulder.

It definitely looks like the way they painted fingers then. Why do you think it is late Georgian? Wouldn't that be abutting the regency style, Jane Austen type of dress? Couldn't it be mid Georgian?

Go for it. About 25 years ago, when I bought my current house, I was absolutely broke from buying house things so I went out for a walk one Friday evening to save money. I saw a print that I loved, beautifully framed, just stared at it for ages and had to go back the next day to buy it. It was £130 and I couldn't really afford it then but it's still up on my wall and I've never regretted buying it.

Buy it....then go on fake or fortune! 😃

She'd not late Georgian though is she? Early to mid

I agree. The paining looks early to mid eighteenth century to me, not late Georgian / early Victorian.

painting

Go for it. She’s full of character. It’ll be like having a new friend living with you.

I have never regretted buying an artwork I loved. Being surrounded by beautiful things is so important. (I am not rich)

Please buy it! Yes yes yes!!!

i thought 1790 from her costume (especially the 3/4 sleeves and the chemise) and the style. It’s not signed and was bought by this dealer from a person who deals in country house clearances. I imagine they probably had it valued? I don’t know. I’m not really buying for the investment, it’s for her! I have 2 boys and need some more feminine energy in the house! I slept in it and convinced myself not to, then opened the page and looked at her face and I’m smitten all over again!

I had a similar dilema this summer. At an event, a local artist had work on sale, and I fell for one of them. A lot less money than your Georgian Lady, but beautiful all the same. There's so much other stuff I need to do with the house, other things I should be spending money on, so I convinced myself not to buy it. Until the last day of the event, when I managed to walk back to the shop without thinking about it. The painting is hanging to my right at this very moment, and I smile everytime I see it. Brings me a sense of joy, and peace, everytime I look at it. Worth every penny.

How do people know if the price for art is reasonable?

I've had my eye on a print for years that's £650, which I can easily afford, but have held back because I have no idea whether it is 'worth' £650 (or £65 or £6500 for that matter).

Why is she holding her boob?

I don't like it at all but I suppose that's the wonder of art!