Pair of Antique Paintings of Sheep in Barns in Fabulous Original Frames

  
Johanna Grell is another art world mystery. Her paintings can be found regularly in the marketplace, but no one seems to know anything more about her than that she was Austrian and she was born in 1850 and died in 1934. I understand that she is listed in The Austrian Dictionary of Women Artists, and my faithful copy of Davenports Art Reference and Price Guide states that she was known primarily for farms, sheep (and) poultry. In any case, this pair of paintings depicting sheep in barns is the quintessential Johanna Grell in terms of subject matter, style and even size. Both are signed by the artist, J. Grell, and they are painted on wooden boards. They date to about 1900. The interior of the barns serves as a perfect background to the everyday life of these sheep. On the right one, the artist added a family of chickens. This delightful and whimsical addition helps illustrate her love of barnyard animals. The sheep are well defined in their woolly coats with good facial definition. Each animal retains its individual personality. Both barn interiors are painted with small windows that allow enough sunlight to stream in so that we are able to familiarize ourselves with their details. Grells color palate is rooted in the natural colors of a barn interior and the animals within it. Although a limited palette, it aptly tells the story that the artist loved to share. The paintings are housed in their original, wood and gesso, custom-made and extremely decorative frames. The frames are heavily embossed with fruit, flowers and leaves in a strong third-dimensional manner.

Surrounding the fruit and flower border is a series of shell motifs that run all around to further accent. The paintings are in excellent condition.

I have had them professionally cleaned. Their original magnificent frames are in excellent condition as well, as I have had them professionally restored. Although a true pair, one is ¼ of an inch larger in width and height than the other; this small size differential is only noticeable when they are placed close together, and then only the height (see photo).

So, the painting with the chickens measures 16-1/2 inches wide and 18-5/8 inches high. The other measures 16-1/4 inches wide and 18-3/8 inches high. Personal and cashiers checks also accepted. Expertise in 18th and 19th Century Needlework, British Paintings, and 19th Century Decorative Arts with over 35 Years Experience. The item "Pair of Antique Paintings of Sheep in Barns in Fabulous Original Frames" is in sale since Sunday, May 24, 2020.

This item is in the category "Art\Paintings". The seller is "perryjoyce" and is located in Sawyer, Michigan. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Year: circa 1900
• Medium: Oil
• Subject: Animals
• Style: Realism
• Originality: Original
• Region of Origin: Europe
• Painting Surface: Wood
• Features: Framed
• Size: Medium (up to 36in.