{"product_id":"mrs-george-wood-sarah-sophia-clark-british-victorian-oil-portrait-c1857","title":"Mrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Clark — British Victorian Oil Portrait c1857","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Clark — British Victorian Portrait, 1857\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intimate mid-Victorian family portrait traditionally identified as Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark, associated with John Wood (1801–1870) and retaining an important historic stretcher inscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Wood (1801–1870)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritish, dated 1857\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil on canvas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally identified as Mrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraditionally described as John Wood’s sister-in-law\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistoric stretcher inscription\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuarter-length oval composition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvenance by family descent\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHansons Auctioneers \u0026amp; Valuers, 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecorative Victorian gilt frame\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis elegant \u003cstrong\u003e1857 Victorian portrait\u003c\/strong\u003e is associated with British painter \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Wood (1801–1870)\u003c\/strong\u003e and traditionally depicts \u003cstrong\u003eMrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular historical interest is the sitter’s traditional identification as the artist’s sister-in-law. Together with the family provenance and surviving stretcher inscription, this gives the portrait a compelling personal dimension.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than emphasising social status through elaborate accessories or surroundings, the composition concentrates upon the sitter herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: John Wood (1801–1870)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitter: Traditionally identified as Mrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: 1857\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium: Oil on canvas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool: British\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeriod: Victorian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormat: Quarter-length oval portrait\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature: Unsigned to the painted surface\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInscription: Historic identification and date to the stretcher verso\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMrs Wood is presented in a graceful turned pose, her body angled slightly away while her face returns towards the viewer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer complexion is sensitively modelled, with controlled tonal transitions lending the face luminosity and depth. Her pale lace-trimmed costume and narrow black neck ribbon provide elegant contrast against the restrained background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe absence of elaborate attributes is significant. Attention remains firmly upon the sitter’s face and expression, resulting in a portrait that feels personal rather than ceremonial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Sitter – Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sitter has traditionally been identified as \u003cstrong\u003eMrs George Wood, Sarah Sophia Wood, née Clark\u003c\/strong\u003e, and described as John Wood’s sister-in-law.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat inherited identification is an important component of the painting’s history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe nevertheless retain the wording \u003cstrong\u003e“traditionally identified”\u003c\/strong\u003e to distinguish the historic attribution from a sitter identity independently proven through primary genealogical documentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artist – John Wood (1801–1870)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Wood was a British nineteenth-century painter trained within the academic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis career encompassed portraiture together with historical, religious and literary painting, and his professional life spanned the transition from late Georgian Britain into the mature Victorian period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present portrait is especially engaging because of its traditional connection with Wood’s own extended family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Historic Inscription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stretcher verso retains a handwritten inscription identifying the portrait as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Portrait of Mrs George Wood \/ John Wood \/ 1857”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis physical evidence is an important component of the work’s catalogue history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting itself is unsigned to the front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy descent in the artist’s family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHansons Auctioneers \u0026amp; Valuers, \u003cem\u003eThe Library Auction – Including Rare \u0026amp; Collectable\u003c\/em\u003e, 5 September 2023, Lot 151.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThereafter curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanvas: approximately 50 × 37.5 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed: approximately 79 × 68 × 5 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in good, honest condition consistent with its nineteenth-century date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are age-related surface characteristics including areas of craquelure, minor scuffs, scratches and occasional marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe elaborate gilt frame displays age-related wear, including chips, small losses, marks and areas of historic surface intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease refer to the accompanying photographs for further visual information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwing to the substantial dimensions and weight of the framed portrait, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44087326867709,"sku":"k10083","price":15000.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/products\/oil-painting-portrait-lady-sarah-sophia-wood-nee-clark-by-john-wood-1801-1870-499657.jpg?v=1694936309","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/nl-beeubelgium\/products\/mrs-george-wood-sarah-sophia-clark-british-victorian-oil-portrait-c1857","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}