Fine Art at The Best Things

Fine art must be the most difficult thing to sell online. It is so easy to make a painting look better on the screen than it does in reality. At The Best Things, we strive not to make the painting look better than it does, but to describe is so critically, that you will be pleasantly surprised when you receive it. If we have a painting that does not meet this criteria, you won't find it listed here. We offer an unconditional money back guarantee, so frankly, we had better do a good job or we will just end up getting the picture back.

We specialize in Victorian oil paintings and fine marine art, but we appreciate all good art. Victorian artists had a prodigious output, much of it of very high quality. Consequently, it is still quite affordable although it is appreciating quickly. It is our opinion that you won't find a better art investment today than quality 19th Century paintings.

As with all antiques, condition is very important. Just as with wooden items, an overcleaned painting is a problem. We are of the school of thought that less is more when it comes to antique conservation. For example, we will not authorize relining a canvas unless it absolutely has to be done. Our conservator is fanatical about preserving the original artists work and will never do more inpainting than is absolutely necessary to replace missing paint. We are lucky to have this association as he is also in demand from some of the nations most respected museums. We will strive in these listings to mention everything. Most galleries just describe pictures as clean and ready to hang. We would not buy a painting based on such a vague condition report. Why should you?

Click on Images to Enlarge

T.G. Purvis British fl. 1875 - 1925

This is a ship's portrait of a four masted barque built of steel and wears the pre-1914 German flag. Purvis was an artist of choice for these portraits among the affluent Europeans of his time, and pictures of yachts from various European countries have appeared. Examples of his work hang in the National Museum of Wales (he worked in Cardiff) and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. This picture has great lighting and color. It clearly demonstrates that Purvis was far more than your average ship portrait painter. If he had been an American artist, his work would probably be selling for 100 times as much. I really like this picture a lot. I like all of our paintings, but I love this one. The frame is old and may be original. It has some minor damage but is still quite useable as is. The canvas measures 18" by 12". We have had it cleaned and varnished and it looks wonderful. Some minor inpainting was necessary, as is normally the case.

Oil on Canvas. Very Good Condition.

Price: $3795.00

Carl Oscar Carlson, Danish fl. 1840 - 1864

This picture is of an English Frigate at sea with storm clouds gathering in the disance. Carl Oscar Carlson does not seem to have been a very prolific artist and there are not many examples of his work about. However, he was far more accomplished than his limited body of work would suggest and this is quite a well executed picture and very pleasing to the eye. This picture is much more alive and vibrant than your typical ship portrait. This is one painting that I will really be sad to see go. This picture is nicely framed in simple but nice modern frame. The canvas measures 27" by 17". The condition is wonderful and we have not had it cleaned.

Oil on Canvas. Fine Original Condition.

Price: $3995.00

Genre Painting, Dutch School, 17th Century Style, 19th Century

The Victorians loved the Dutch masters and marvellously well executed copies of 17th Century masterpieces were made in the 19th Century. This picture is probably not a copy of an earlier picture, instead it is an original picture but in the style of the17th Century and when it was new would certainly have been displayed as if it was an earlier picture. There is an old label on the stretcher, now all but illegible, that is copied in a later, but still old label on the canvas, which reads, "Oil Painting: Very Fine Early 18th Century Dutch Painting, "Interieur de Corps de Garde Hollandaise" by Francis Danks, Noted Dutch Painter, 1650 - 1703. Monogrammed." It is my opinion that this label is spurious but you can draw your own conclusions. Either way it is a superbly well executed picture in the classic Dutch style. The canvas is original with one small patch on the back where the canvas was slightly torn. This repair was done by our conservator, to the best modern standards. The surface has light crackelure throughout. It has been recently cleaned and varnished. The canvas measures 9 1/2" by 13 1/2". The frame is a modern gold plated plastic frame that is not worthy of this picture and should be upgraded. Remember, we are Larson-Juhl dealers and offer substantial discounts on new frames with the purchase of a picture.

Oil on Canvas. Very Good Original Condition.

Price: $1195.00

Signed Indistinctly, Victorian

This is a medieval street scene with a gothic cathedral in the background. This is not a highly detailed painting but the colors are wonderful and it is one of my personal favorites. It is unfortunate that the signature is indiscernable as this is the work of an accomplished artist. It appears to be in the original frame and on the back is a great label for a Leeds frame shop. The actual picture measures 11" by 15." The frame has significant losses and could use some attention.

Watercolor . Fine Original Condition.

Price: Sold

Frances E. Nesbitt, English 1864 - 1934

This picture is titled on the back, a "Banquet of Boats", and that is exaclty what it is. It is simply painted and yet very powerful. The frame is a simple frame that neither enhances or detracts from the frame. The matting in the frame is stained. You will probably want to get it reframed with a more elegant frame. There are a couple of small spots of foxing on the picture that could easily be removed but they are not obtrusive and we chose to leave it as found. This picture is a virgin find from an estate sale. It is not faded and would rate fine condition otherwise. The picture itself measures 9 1/2" by 13 1/2".