Sweet painting of a child, any idea of age?

Hi all! I picked this painting up at auction recently because I thought this little one was sweet. I'm wondering if she has some age to her and if you think she was likely painted by an amateur or someone a little better? The frame looks older to me but it's not painted on a canvas with stretcher, rather placed into the frame with a more modern looking piece of cardboard added for stability and a wooden back. Does she look like she has been painted on canvas and cut down? It's a bit confusing. No sig that I can see. The painting is 8x10" unframed. Any info appreciated, thank you!

 

Try cleaning it with q-tips and (not kidding here) saliva.
I've heard abt this technique for years-'Human saliva contains enzymes that can break down grime, dust, and even nicotine residue without damaging the delicate paint surface, especially when dealing with varnished or older paintings according to the Gilcrease Museum on Facebook.

 

Agree something funky there. I suspect she's new-ish and painted on an old canvas.

Debora

 

Ha, I have heard of it actually and did try it on another painting I had! I'll give it a go, thanks!

 

its very confusing elen i agree something funky going on.
i don't think it was ever meant to be that colour.......... or was it

can you show us a pic of the side of the painting (out of frame)

 

@charlie cheswick doesn't Philip Mould on 'Fake or Fortune' use a certain type of alcohol or spirit to bring out the paintings true colors ? The alcohol quickly evaporates without damaging the original surface.
PS-Don't try this without consulting a Pro-it's just that I recall him doing it several times, his co-presenter Fiona Bruce (BBC Antique Roadshow) usually gasps a bit when he does this, and he replies-'Perfectly safe'.
https://www.businessinsider.com/phi...f-varnish-off-oil-painting-in-seconds-2017-11

 

I love that show!! I'll look into it. I tried the saliva trick very briefly when I was taking more pics and you can definitely see more colours coming through, like the blue around the eyes. When it is damp it definitely pops but fades again when it dries. Possible writing top right but might be nothing!

 

hmmm, you sure it was that show buddy, don't think i've ever even seen the guy roll up his sleeves

unless he was more hands on earlier in the show, but thought i'd seen um all

 

I remember him doing it! I can't remember which painting it was though.

 

(i'd refrain on the saliva if i were you), i can't even work out what its painted on yet

 

the bought ebay painting was the best ep i reckon

 

Mineral spirit i believe, but I'd rewatch the episode to be sure. Think it was the one of the Queen? I know it was an older oil portrait.

It's not permanent though; just a trick. You have to have a conservator's book of chemical mix tricks for real cleaning and so far all I've found is they guard the modern methods very closely lol.

Hah! They let him do a tiny section for a bit. It's not actual cleaning or varnish removal. It's a temporary clarity to the varnish and goes away when dry.

 

.......Now that i can believe still don't think i've seen an episode with a painting of the queen though

will check it out

 

I didn't specify the Queen. It was Queen Henrietta Maria. Amazing episode. Highly recommended, but spoilers on the wiki page above.

 

Some time ago, there was a huge discussion on here, about what was used to clean filthy old paintings...........and as I recall they'd (the big professionals!!) save up spittle and do a 'bang up job' with cleaning old paintings.......CLEANING, not restoring!!

 

i think it depends what your dealing with aqui, as bosk said its fairly harmless (spit) and would have probably suggested the same, but didn't like the look of the way it was coming off

 

Actually, from the shown edge of the painting, I thought it rather kind of looked like some sort of thick fabric............??? Possibly??

 

thought exactly the same