A superb portrait of a distinguished French gentleman in its original frame. Expertly painted on board with lots of detail. The gentleman is in a black overcoat with white shirt and black neck tie. He is painted against a stormy sky, suggesting he might have a naval or sea-faring background.
It is signed in red in the lower right corner 'Negelen'. Born in Porrentruy in 1792, Joseph Mathias Negelen was a Swiss painter of portraits. Enrolling at the school of fine art in 1814, Negelen trained under French early Romantic painter, Girodet. He appeared at the Salon de Paris with Portraits from 1827 to 1865 which is when this painting was likely executed.
It is in its original ornate gilded carved wood and gesso frame which is superb quality with scrolling corner pieces and an intricate inner border. Unusually for an oil painting it is framed under glass.
There is an original paper label on the reverse for 'L.Caquet, marchand d'Estampes, Papetier'
which is likely where the board to paint on was purchased from.
The painting is in good original condition. There are a few very minor marks and spots below the glass but no major damages or issues with the painting itself. The frame is clean and bright and in excellent condition. There are a few small knocks and marks but nothing detrimental.
