{"product_id":"vintage-signed-belgian-portrait-oil-painting","title":"Vintage Signed Belgian Portrait Oil Painting","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA man in a gray jacket and loosened tie, turned in three-quarter profile against a dark ground and painted in broad, confident strokes. The lower right carries a signature reading J. Maes, and the back is inscribed in ink with the sitter’s name and the painter’s name, which is why I’m calling it Belgian. The inscription is in a different hand from the signature and I can’t confirm either, so it’s offered as signed, not as a documented Maes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Artist | Bearing a signature reading “J. Maes” in the lower right. Not confirmed as Jacques Maes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Signature | Signed in the lower right in dark paint, reading “J. Maes” followed by what looks like a date, partly hidden by the frame. The reverse is inscribed in ink “Dominique LECLERCQ 1888-1945 par Jacques MAES,” in a different hand from the face signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Medium | Oil on wood panel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Subject | Portrait of a man in three-quarter profile, wearing a gray jacket, cream collar and loosened tie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Origin | Belgium, likely\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Age | Early to mid 20th century, assessed. No date is confirmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Frame Size | 18 in. H x 16.5 in. W\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Format | Portrait, rectangular\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Frame | Stepped wood frame with a worn silver finish and a dark outer edge. Not claimed as original to the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Style | Portrait in a broadly modeled, tonal manner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[d]Support | Wood panel. Fine scratches in the lower right background show warm wood tone beneath the paint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e[condition]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe surface is dark overall, with a darkened varnish layer and general grime across the background and the jacket. Fine cracking runs across the face, forehead and neck. There are small raised flecks in the dark background at upper left, a few fine scratches in the lower right background, and a fine scratch near the cheek. The paint film looks stable in the photographs, with no flaking that I can see. I have not examined the painting under UV, so I am not claiming or excluding retouching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe frame carries real wear. The silver finish is rubbed and worn through along the rails and corners, exposing dark brown and white gesso beneath, with chips along the edges. There is a hairline split at the top right corner joint and a small nick in the left side rail. The reverse of the frame has white paint splashes near the top corners and felt pads in the lower corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe back is a single wood board held in place with wooden retaining tabs and small nails. It carries a modern pair of D-ring hangers with picture wire, and has some staining. The ink inscription is described above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePlease review all photographs closely, as they form part of this description.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67636983070998,"sku":"ENM-2266","price":525.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/October_2026-14983.jpg?v=1793727125","url":"https:\/\/austynmariedesign.com\/products\/vintage-signed-belgian-portrait-oil-painting","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}