Studio RT Ltd

Description

We are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful portrait by the well listed artist Albert Ludovici Junior RBA NEA, which is signed and dated 1881 to the front and inscribed verso with the title of 'Boulogne Fishergirl' and the address of 105 Charlotte Street. This address is that of his school and studio in London, which is the next street along from the address of the purveyor of the canvas that it is painted on. The Artists' Colourman P. Shea, began his business at 21 Warren Street, 1871-1874 and was at 127 Whitfield Street 1875 -1882. (Information from National Portrait Gallery catalogue of Artists' Suppliers) The details of the location of Albert Ludovici's school were found in an article about one of his pupils in the newspaper archives, which stated 'in the well-known school of Mr. Albert Ludovici in Charlotte Street'.

The painting depicts a head and shoulders portrait of an attractive, Boulogne Fishergirl wearing a cream bonnet, tied under her chin and a dark green dress with a pattern around the yolk. She has auburn curly hair and green or hazel eyes and a very sweet expression.. We know that Ludovici visited Boulogne, because in 1892 he had an exhibition of pastels, watercolours and oils at the Japanese Gallery in New Bond Street of nearly 100 works, which were produced during a stay in Boulogne. This information was also found in the newspaper archives.

Albert Ludovici Junior was born in 1852, either in London, or Prague, a dichotomy caused due to both places of birth were listed in the Census records and no register of births exists, which may point towards Prague being correct. However, we have read that a descendent of his claims that London is correct not Prague, so the jury is out on this one. He was the son of the artist Albert Ludovici Senior 1820-1892 RBA, who was born in Leipzig, although both Alberts married Parisiennes. Albert Junior studied under his father and both of them lived in London with frequent visits to France. His sister Marguerite (Mme Cathelin) was also an artist and painted flowers, landscapes and miniatures. In fact, Albert Senior died on a visit to Switzerland.

Albert Junior was an impressionist and was a close friend of and influenced by Whistler. He was elected a member of the New English Art Club in 1891 and a member of the Royal Society of British Artists, like his father, in 1881, the year he painted this portrait. He exhibited at the Royal Academy 1880-1897 and at Suffolk Street, as well as prolifically at various London galleries and in the provinces.

He and his wife Marie, along with their 4 sons and 2 daughters (4 of whom survived), lived variously in areas of North London, in 1881 in St. Pancras, 1891 in St. Augustine's Road, St. Pancras, in 1901 at 134 Portsdown Road, Paddington and, by 1911 at 5c Belgrave Road, St. John's Wood. By 1931, he was living at 7 Cyprus Road, in Finchley, North London, which was the year before he died aged 80.

The painting is framed in a 4 1/2" traditionally styled gilt frame and slip. It will be supplied wired and ready to hang.

Image size: 19 5/8" x 15 1/2" - 49.8cm x 39.35cm

Frame size: 28 3/8" x 24 3/8" - 72.1cm x 61.9cm

Medium: Oils on unlined canvas

Condition: Very good. The canvas has one small repair and it is in taut, clean condition, with no craquelure and only very slight stretcher marks. The frame and slip are in very good condition with no visible damage.