A Pair of Small Exquisitely painted Intriguing Victorian Portraits - Watercolour on Card

THE STORY - I think what I really love about this pair of portraits is they each portray not just the person which they do wonderfully but also within the details of the background of the paintings the personality of each of the sitters. They were indeed being sold at Auction amongst other items from the family of Captain James Muddle who was born in 1785 in Gillingham and whom Captained some of the first Prison Ships including the Andromeda to Australia. Most of the items being sold were of his collection from his voyages and then there was this pair who were listed as 'Descendants of Captain James Muddle'. Of course I have tried to find out just who this pair of descendants were but alas I have been unable to, indeed I was unable to find out whether Captain James Muddle married or had children. But when I look at this pair I find myself wondering whether they were not husband and wife but brother and sister, she is wearing rings but they may not be wedding rings. The Portraits are both finely painted with watercolour on I imagine card and would date I think to circa 1850. They Each sit in front of large blue drape from which falls an impressive tassel and each holds in their hand a book. The book in the lady's hand does appear to have a title on the cover but it is very hard to read and the only word I think I can make out is at the bottom 'knowledge'. The book in the gentleman's hand appears to have no title on the cover. And then there are the details of the backgrounds portraying the sitters different personalities, as behind the blue drape in the lady's portrait we see a window from which beautiful flowers and a blue sky can be seen, where the details behind the blue drape in the gentleman's portrait shows a column and what looks like a shelf of many books. The woman is associated with nature whereas he with his eye glass looks very much the picture of an academic sitting in his library. And how I love their faces so beautifully painted with her face showing a beautiful softness framed with ringlets and lace bonnet, indeed I find the colours of each of the portraits so wonderful. Neither of the portraits are signed but they really are finely executed. Each sits in identical gold coloured painted frames which I do think could possibly be the original ones.

AGE - Circa 1850

CONDITION - Each of the portraits and their frames are in very good condition with the colours still beautifully strong with no foxing that I can see. Under the glass of the Lady's portrait there appears to be some trapped dirt by the flowers which can best be seen in the fifth photo. Each of the frames have some light marks on them which look like they could be old water marks and the back of her frame has some movement. The wire on the back of each frame has been there for some time so it could be a good idea to check its strength before hanging or replacing. I also want to point out that you will see from the dimensions below they really are quite small, but I am not convinced they are quite small enough to be described as miniatures but they nearly are.

DIMENSIONS (Approx of Each Portrait) - Framed - Height 7&1/4" / 18.5cm, Width 6&1/2" / 16.5cm, Depth 1/2" / 1.5cm. Image Size - Height 4&3/4" / 12cm, Width 4&1/4" / 10.5cm

How I wish I could have found out just who this pair were and for whom this pair of portraits were painted and just what was the relevance of the books in their hands. There really does seem so much each portrait seems to be trying to say, and I imagine each element or motif was held in much importance to the sitters. I just absolutely love them and I have to say I find it very difficult to stop looking at them, looking for answers for questions I am not even sure of. They are both a wonderful combination of beauty and intrigue.