Portielje, Gérard (1856-1929; Belgian)
The Old Bachelor 1885
Oil on panel, 37.2 x 28.0 cm
Bequest of Alfred Felton, 1904
National Gallery of Victoria (137-2)
This meticulous picture, bought from Koekkoek in Melbourne, seems to be typical of the artist’s output: examples still regularly appear at auction in Europe.
The image possibly reminded Felton of his own unmarried albeit considerably more prosperous state.
Refs.
AR 1904, p.26; NGV 1905, p.92 (III.McArthur Gallery, no.36; ill.)
For this work, see Poynter, Mr Felton’s Bequests (2003/2008), p.148
For Portielje (not listed in AKL), see Bénézit 11, p.253 (citing this work ); http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Portielje; and http://www.invaluable.com/artist/portielje-gerard-jozef-7vaa1hbxk4/sold-at-auction-prices/