Pair Of Late 18th-Century Primitive / Naive Continental School Antique Folk-Art Full-length Oil On Canvas Portraits Of A Gentleman & His Wife

A large & impressive pair of 18th-Century primitive/naive Continental school portraits of an aristocratic gentleman and his wife, circa 1770.

When we see folk-art like this, we have to acquire it whenever possible!

Oil on canvas.

The sitters and artist are unknown. The paintings bear no signature nor inscription.

Portrayed full-length in period attire; The gentleman standing between swagged drapes with a dark background,  wearing a powdered wig, white linen collar with a black stock, green frock coat, cerise waistcoat, green breeches, white stockings and leather shoes adorned with buckles. He holds a long, clay pipe in his right hand.The lady is also portrayed standing full-length between swagged drapes, her brown hair in the latest "coiffure francais" style, wearing a white collar intertwined with black lace, lace neckline, a red bodice and cream stomacher adorned with embroidery and black ribbon, her skirt open at the front to reveal a decorated cream-panelled petticoat bordered with embroidery. Her cuffs are finished with lace. She wears period shoes.

These two paintings, whilst naive, do have a certain period charm.

Presented in gilt-gesso and ebonised wooden frames of a later period.

Provenance - Unknown.

Condition - Please refer to the images. There is some surface wear and surface dirt commensurate with age. The portraits do display very well.

Size - Approx (unframed) 76 x 46 cm / With frame approx. 84 x 54 cm (30" x 18 1/8" / (33" x 21 1/4")