Featured How old is this ...couple?

So I took into consideration everything yall suggested..

I was told these were early 1800s, and honestly I thought possibly older because of the style of clothing and how dark actual the pictures are and how dark the back of the canvas and wood were (much darker in real life), and also how some of the nails did not look modern day..
But I do see a 1930s look to them.

The use of a 2 tone background and "broken lighting/strokes" looks like this portrait done in the late 1930s
https://www.1stdibs.com/art/paintin...lade-school-artist-oil-painting/id-a_8902522/


They almost have a "cartoonish" appearance to them, much like some of the works I noticed in the American art at the time.
https://www.incollect.com/articles/art-of-the-thirties

During this time in America that article states the movement was called, "The American Scene movement", which I guess is a form of Social Realism, a depicted the everyday life in America, good, bad, and ugly.

These being Europen, it looks as though the realism movement started in the 1850s and was an opposite reaction to romanticism period, which the scowl on the woman's face, the hole on the man's hat and coat, and their weathered faces don't seem overly romantic, to me anyways


I find it interesting yall picked up on them (maybe just him?) being Hasidic Jews. I did notice his curls, but not being educated enough to pick up on them, I didn't think much of them..
I looked through jewish headwear but did not see a hat similar, all the ones I saw had either no brim or very wide brims, but I am not overly familiar with Judaism, so it's possible I'm missing something due to my ignorance.

As far as being from Belgium, I noticed in their art, especially older art, they did not shy away from the use of pipes in their art and noticed a lot of women smoking these clay pipes. Maybe the artist pulled inspiration from past paintings?
But again, I do not know much about Europe, America, I know better (and still have much to learn!)


Would yall think he is a carpenter or fishmonger?
I noticed that fishmongers are usually represented with the half apron, while carpenters have the full smock.

 

Being European, these could be a bit older than the 30s. Thinking early 20th century. Bit of expressionism in them to my eye.

 

I think you should do some exploring in this genre.

https://www.neuegalerie.org/comic-grotesque-wit-and-mockery-german-art-1870-1940

Debora

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

I like them -- Wouldn't mind looking at them every day, since they are smile inducing.

 

None there that I, at least, see, MOS!! Let me know if you do!!

 

I think there was a signature at some point, but it has vanished leaving only traces.