Don't let the contemporary frame mislead you, the beautiful little oil painting on tin or metal plaque it holds is a charming late 19th century to early 20th century oil painting. I'm sure it was taken from an antique frame, (there are indications it once had a round aperture) and it looks pretty in this one, but I imagine it's original frame would have been more elaborate old wood with plenty of late Victorian gesso appliqué. Those frames didn't always hold up very well, and many we see on souvenir paintings like this one are missing huge chunks of the appliqué. Still, I do prefer the old frames. A sweet depiction you might translate as an update of Rebecca at the well, but it is a quite common theme - a girl with an unbroken jug is iconic for a young woman of virtue, her virginity still intact. Lovely composition on this one, and a vibrant palette. I feel certain she was painted as a souvenir for 19th century Grand Tour patrons. The painting is 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" and the new/replacement wood frame shown is 5 3/4" x 4 3/4" and about 3/4" in depth. A 5/8" face on our pretty girl.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Oil painting on metal/tin plaque. A small imperfection to the oil painting's far right rim visible out of the frame but hidden by the frame when in place. The frame is not antique, and is a recent made or serendipitous replacement found. Displays very nicely as what it is, and I keep picturing it in someone's antique Bru or other dolls' house display.
