Bidspirit auction | 19th Century School Oil on

19th Century School Oil on Canvas Two Kittens - An antique oil painting on stretched canvas depicting two kittens. The composition features a standing black and white tuxedo kitten in profile, looking directly at the viewer, alongside a curled, sleeping tabby kitten. The work is executed in a realistic animalier style with visible brushwork rendering the texture of the fur against a dark, tonal brown background. The painting is housed in an ornate gilt wood and composition frame decorated with scrolling acanthus leaves and shell motifs at the corners and centers. The reverse of the work reveals a wooden stretcher with four corner keys and a darkened canvas support. On the top stretcher bar, there are marks that appear to be stamped or handwritten characters, but they are not legible as specific names or words (photo 5). A small red mark is also present on the top edge of the frame verso but is similarly illegible. The reverse of the canvas shows two dark, circular stains near the center. Measurements: The framed work measures approximately 14 inches in height by 21 1/2 inches in width at the outer edges (photos 7 and 8). The paint layer exhibits widespread fine craquelure across the entire surface (photo 6). There are visible areas of paint lifting and small losses, notably in the upper right background quadrant (photo 6). The frame shows significant structural damage, including a large loss of the composition ornament at the bottom left corner (photo 1) and various smaller chips and cracks to the gilding and composition throughout the perimeter (photo 7). The canvas reverse shows minor staining and age-related darkening (photo 5).