Featured Pastel portrait, help to identify artist

Hello Antiquers,

I recently bought this large pastel portrait (77 x 106 cm) painted on paper from Etsy. There is no visible signature. I have tried to research more about the artist but I have hit dead-end. The seller is from Bangkok (if that is of any help), and mentioned they have no information about the artist either. The only closest I arrived to an artist is Phil Couture, but I presume this is not by him as he paints mostly with oil. Also I wonder how old this painting is?
Any leads would be helpful.

Kind regards.

 

Is it behind glass? It’s very unlikely to be pastel or oil pastel if the portrait isn’t behind glass due to the fact that pastels rub off with anything that makes contact with them.
It looks rather like a paint enhanced photograph to me. Wait for others though.

 

https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/883/vintage-geisha-postcards-early-20th-century

 

I absolutely agree with @Houseful. This is a hand colored photograph. Around 1900 give or take a decade imo.

 

Ditto. She is lovely, I love the pensive mood.

 

@Houseful, Thank you for the link, these are some beautiful photographs. However, I can confirm that this artwork is indeed genuine pastel work and not paint enhanced photograph and it is behind glass. I agree the painting is quite detailed and realistic and therefore may cause confusion. I can see strokes and blending in few places where the pastel is applied, especially at the hair, around cheek bones and the hands; and the whole picture has a powdery surface to it. And the damage and water trail to the paper on the top right background tells me that this is not an enhanced photograph.

 

@Houseful, on second thought may be you are right. But, I will wait for others. Thank you

 

I'm with @Houseful. 1960s-ish from the frame. The seller had the back panel off at one point. Have you looked under wood backing?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158699...how_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details

Debora

 

Pastel is a method of hand coloring. The base of this is a photo.

She is a very pretty piece. I agree with Debora that you should take it apart to inspect it. It may have more clues written on it like who she is or who the studio was.

 

@Debora, no, I have not had a look inside the back panel. I agree with @mirana I will inspect and look if there is anything more that I can identify. I will update soon. Thank you everyone!

 

Ditto Mirana & Debora.Absolutely beautiful piece (and tasteful framing). Prob a b&w photo base hand-colored with photo oils or or pastels.($1,387.50 ?)
https://www.dickblick.com/products/...vK-7DzxgnArl0GX_fkbbzn_JOKh0CvgF1bDItwoy4Vqyz