Matevž Langus (Slovenian 1792-1855), Portrait of Agnes Millo...

Hammer

£8,000

Matevž Langus (Slovenian 1792-1855), Portrait of Agnes Millonig (b.1819) wearing a diamond and enamel demi-parure, signed and dated 'M.Langus pinxit. 1853' (lower left), oil on canvas, 92 x 74.5cm, framed 106 x 85cm Provenance The sitter's family, thence by descent. Matevž Langus was initially a nail maker before training as an artist and becoming a professional painter, settling in Ljubljana. He was well known for painting portraits of the Ljubljana locals and several of his works are now in the collection of the National Gallery of Slovenia. The sitter, Agnes Millonig (neé Dullar), was born in Vavta vas, Slovenia in 1819, one of seven children of Franz and Margaretha Dullar. Once married she may have settled in Ljubljana as it would appear that the ruins of Ljubljana Castle are visible in the background of the portrait. The diamond and enamel demi-parure depicted in the portrait has been consigned as lot 216 in the Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver auction (23/01/2025). White deposits have dripped onto the surface of the canvas, and the painting as a whole would benefit from cleaning. Craquelure is evident on the face, neck and parts of the sky.