Research
Of oil and gouache on a gilded ground, on canvas. The unframed panel of arched form is centered by a painted Greek key framed roundel of Venus seated in a shell. The gilded ground is overpainted with burnt umber triangles upon which is painted a system of ornament including griffons, birds, putti, fruits and multicolored flowers and foliage. The outer border self-framed within a continuous Vitruvian scroll pattern. Inscription at the bottom added by Emie A. Shields in 1914.
Marks:
Inscribed at the bottom:
Emie A. Shields. Decorator, London. 1914.
Published:
A watercolor elevation of the panel in its setting is published “The industrial arts of the nineteenth century: a series of illustrations of the choicest specimens produced by every nation, at the Great Exhibition of Works of Industry, 1851,” Plate CXLI, by Matthew Digby Wyatt.
This painted arabesque panel was designed by John Gregory Crace and exhibited at the Great Exhibition, London, in 1851. The panel was illustrated by Matthew Digby Wyatt in “The industrial arts of the nineteenth century: a series of illustrations of the choicest specimens produced by every nation, at the Great Exhibition of Works of Industry, 1851,” Plate CXLI (figure 1). Messrs. Jackson and Sons executed the border of composition ornament that surrounded the panel.
Full research report available on request.