Description: This is a RARE and Historic Antique British Old Master Still Life Oil Painting on Canvas, by Heinrich Wilhelm Homann (b.1819), publicly known as William Homann, who was living in London by 1851 and made a career as a fine artist, before establishing the esteemed London decorator and cabinet maker company, W. Homann & Son (1870 - 1890.) Their historic claim to fame and most prestigious commission was being hired by Queen Victoria of Great Britain to decorate the Osborne House in the late 19th century. This piece depicts a lovely and finely rendered still life scene, displaying various fruits, such as peaches, pears and grapes, laid upon a table in a dimly lit room. Faintly, but clearly signed: "W. HOMANN" in the lower left corner. Additionally, an art material manufacturer's label on the verso of the canvas reads: "JOHN REEVES...LONDON." According to the National Portrait Gallery of England's online database, this particular stamp dates this painting from 1870 - 1880. Approximately 18 7/8 x 22 7/8 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 11 7/8 x 16 inches. Good condition for well over a century of age, with minor speckles of paint loss, a few small tears to the canvas, and moderate - heavy scuffing, edge wear, gesso and gilding loss to the original period late 19th century ornate gilded wood frame (please see photos.) To my knowledge, and after extensive research, this is the only known oil painting by William Homann to ever surface on the secondary market. His original architectural sketches reside in the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, England. Priced to Sell. Acquired from an old collection in Pasadena, California. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About the Ink Stamp on the verso of the canvas: British canvas, stretcher and panel suppliersβ marks. Part 6, O to Y This resource surveys suppliersβ marks and labels on the reverse of picture supports. This part is devoted to London suppliers, O to Y, active between the 1830s and the 1930s. "JOHN REEVES --- ARTISTS COLORMAN 6. WHITFIELD ST Late John St --- TOTTENHAM CT ROAD. LONDON W [at 6 Whitfield St 1870-80]" (New National Portrait Gallery, U.K.) About the Artist: Homann, William & Son (1870-1890) Homann, William & SonLondon; decorators, leather gilders, paper hangers, cabinet makers (fl. 1870-90)London directories record the business of W. Homann & Son as decorators at 46 Charrington Street (1870), this address and Stanhope Street (1875) and as cabinet makers, decorators and paper hangers at 60 Berners Street and 141 Stanhope Street (1882). Finally as decorators, builders and estate agents at Charrington Street, Stanhope Street and Queens Mansions, Victoria Street (1890).Heinrich Wilhelm Homann was born c. 1819 in Germany and by 1851 William, as he was then known, was living in London working as an artist. By 1871 he recorded as a decorator living in Somers Town, St Pancras and gained British naturalisation in 1873. William married twice and had one son, Henry William, b. 1849, from his first marriage and another son and three daughters from the second. Henry William followed into fatherβs profession as artist decorator living at the Stanhope Street address in 1881. By 1901 he was recorded as a house decorator employee. A pair of chairs, with embossed and studded leather seats and backs, with the stamp βW. Homann & Son 60 Berners Street London Wβ is known. The firm was possibly making or buying in simple chair frames to which its own artistic leather gilded covers were attached. Source: Personal correspondence with BIFMO 18 March 2023British and Irish Furniture Makers Online Victoria & Albert Museum, LondonThe firm of W. Homann & Son, of 60 Berners Street, London, were designers and house painters who specialised in creating elaborate βPompeian-styleβ decorative schemes. Their most prestigious commission came from Queen Victoria for Osborne House (c.1847-50), and throughout the 19th century they continued to design interiors for grand houses.William Henry Homann originally established the firm in the 1840s. His son, Henry William Homann was admitted to the Company of Painters and Stainers in 1864. His son, H. A. Homann, continued the family business into the 20th century.This design is one of a group by H. A. Homann which date from c.1895-1910 and are signed. The group comprises rough pencil sketches showing both individual design elements and proposed decorative schemes, as well as worked-up presentation drawings finished with coloured gouache and marked with the name of the intended client and location.
Price: 1350 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-08-31T00:03:45.000Z
Shipping Cost: 45 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: William Homann
Signed By: William Homann
Size: Medium
Signed: Yes
Period: Historicism (1850-1900)
Material: Canvas, Oil
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Framed
Subject: Botanical, England, Flowers, London, Plants, Roses, Still Life
Type: Painting
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 18 7/8 in
Style: Old Master, Realism, Still Life
Theme: Architecture, Art, Cities & Towns, Continents & Countries, Domestic & Family Life, Exhibitions, Floral, Food & Drink, History
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Item Width: 22 7/8 in
Handmade: Yes
Time Period Produced: 1850-1899