bross22

Thank you in advance for helping me identify this painting. I just purchased it at a local auction because I fell in love with it at first site. I am very inexperienced with paintings and really only pay attention to the ones that catch my eye. I was finally able to upload a picture, but I will leave my description as the photo is very small.
For starters, it is in it's original frame which had paper backing over the back of the canvas. There are nails surrounding the back of the painting holding it in place with the frame. One can tell it's never been removed. I wish I could date how old it is, but I have no clue. The painting surrounds 2 women which I would say are dressed in kind of "Victorian style" dresses. The lady sitting down is it a light colored green dress. Fairly low cut with short sleeves that turn in to lace and end a little past the elbow. This lady is also playing a harp which is slightly tilted back on her right shoulder. The woman's face is breathtaking with a solemn, peaceful expression and very youthful but oldest of the two. Her hair is pulled/pinned back to flow down her back (this you can't see, but can imagine it's beauty). Underneath this part of the painting is excellent reflection of her dress and harp, it's as if she is sitting on a mirror. The second woman in the painting is standing behind her, sporting the same style of dress with a couple differences. Her dress is gold in color, low cut with lace above the breasts and what appears to be a broach in the center. Her dress is also "off the shoulders" and her arms are placed in front of her hanging elegantly, meeting at the hands. Her hair is also pulled/pinned back to reveal her beautiful face which appears to be younger than the other woman, but equally as breathtaking. They are both in front of a full "floor to ceiling" paned window with what appears to be a turquoise drape pinned back to allow the sunshine through. This is also giving the mirror effect throughout the room as further away from the window the mirror effect fades. On the right of the drapes is where the painting actually begins. There is what appears to be a statue of some type of soldier/guard (not sure as there is only part of him painted) standing atop of a waist high piece of furniture. The left of the drapes is the corner of the room where the wall is painted in what I would call a dirty white or an ivory color ( I haven't seen this color before so it's hard to describe). The first thing on the wall is a gold candelabra with 4 white candles. Next to this is a painting which has no theme but only shadowing, this is followed by the matching candelabra. Below the painting and directly behind the ladies is what appears to be a Victorian styled wall-table. It too is waist high when comparing it's size to the lady standing. Only 3 quarters is shown as it is behind the women and it sports a small vase. The only detail that stands out is the front leg that is shown which curves out then back in then out again at the base. (I really don't know if this is "Victorian style" furniture, but that is what I call it ~ I could be totally wrong about this) Just past the last candelabra appears to be another corner and the split in the room goes from floor to ceiling. Along the next wall is a massive fireplace with mantle. The fire is not lit, but has a few pieces of wood in the stand. The mantle is the same color of the walls with the exception of the brick surrounding the opening of the fire place. The mantle has a brilliant, single candelabra with a white candle. ( I say brilliant because it appears to be silver and it actually appears to be shinning due to the sunlight). In the middle of the mantle is a clock that appears to be either at 10:40 or 4:50ish. ( I would say appearing in to this painting one would loose track of time anyway and timing would be totally irrelevant) Above the clock/mantle is another wall painting that is oval, but framed in a rectangular frame. I can only see the base of the painting and can not see any objects, just the fact that it's a painting of some sort. In front of the fireplace, towards the middle of the room, and also the end of the painting from the left side, is a small, round stand-table that has a group of white flowers in a vase with many of it's green leaves showing. Beside the flowers, is what appears to be some sort of "tea pitcher" (I may be wrong on this detail also, as I'm not sure what it is, but it does resemble a very old, hot tea server). It is a mix of blue/gray in color. Directly beside this is a small box. I have no idea what it is, but it is a brighter blue in color. In today's world it resembles a plain blue pack of cigarettes, but I'm sure that's not what it is. Maybe a matchbox or deck of cards??

I believe this is about every detail I can describe about the painting. The canvas measures 30" wide by 22" tall, not including the gold frame that appears to have been built around it. It is quite hefty with being around 20 lbs. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me. If you would like a picture emailed to you, let me know and I would be happy to do this. I am anxious to know the history behind this painting and wish I knew more about it. There is a signature at the bottom right, but appears so faint I can't be 100% sure of any letters. It almost looks like a capital G at the start and maybe a capital H somewhere at the start of the last name, but this is just speculating and is probably wrong...

Thanks again for reading this is and offering to help with this mystery, I truly appreciate any help you may offer.

Take Care,
~Michelle~

Attached Images

painting22.jpg (34.3 KB, 11 views)

BeccaBoo

I have just read your posting about a painting with two ladies and a harp along with a picture of your painting. I have a painting just like it except mine appears to be painted on a textured 'board or cardboard'. The signature as you described it also appears in my painting. There is a brown paper wrap on the back with a name pencilled on it but the writing is difficult to decipher. It appears to be HARMEVEJ, then again, maybe not. Following is a notation of S-171. My husband and I purchased the painting from a neighbor while living about 10 miles outside of London, Kentucky some time between January 1978 and September 1979. We do not know how long the neighbor had the painting but he was real big on shopping flea markets and second-hand stores. I have spent some time trying to find to identify the painting myself.

Please contact me at raycockrum@embarqmail.com.