Complete - Peter Laing Gordon - Date Estimate Please

[gordonbb]

Hello to Prue, China & Co.

I promise I haven't posted this one before 

Attached is a photo I recently obtained of a painting in the collection of a distant cousin of mine that is of Peter Laing Gordon who is the source of much mystery in my research.



Peter Laing Gordon
born Peter Laing, baptized 11 Feb 1799 at St. Nicholas Parish, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire Scotland
died 31 Mar 1866, Torphins, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

His parents were:
Peter (Patrick) Laing b abt 1774

m 16 Jan 1796, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Margaret Walker b 16 Feb 1772, d 24 Nov 1842, Old Marchar,  Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Looking at it I wonder if it is a painting over top of a photograph (see inner thigh detail).  Conversely the perspective of the left arm seems off but the fact he is holding a cane and waering a glove on that hand may indicate a deformity.

The original image did not have very high resolution and was shot at an oblique angle to avoid reflection from the glass protecting it and I have just done a perspective crop in PS and some light use of the spot healing brush and clone stamp to fix crazing.

Unfortunately the original is located on the west coast of Canada and I am in Central Canada so it may be some time before I can attempt to photograph it using a copy stand.

This will also require some patient cloning to get rid of the specks but I an not requesting any cleanups - thank-you.

Regards,

Bruce

[maidmarianoops]

my try

sylvia

[Treetotal]

Hi Gordon...Have you seen this...is it just a coincidence...or could there be a conection...

http://www.thegordondnaproject.com/162679.html

What a superb image to have in your collection..what a shame you don't want any restortations 

China has come out to play now so this will bring it up the board for her attention

Carol

[jim1]

Unfortunately men dressed this way over a long period so realistically it could be anywhere from 1840's - 60's.
If this was an overpainting it would have to be on copper (daguerreotype 1840-51) or glass (ambrotype 1851-58).
It could of course be a painting copied from a photo.You would need to ask the owner what medium was used.

jim

[Treetotal]

I don't think it's a painting I think it's oil pastel.
Carol

[gordonbb]

Hi Gordon...Have you seen this...is it just a coincidence...or could there be a conection...

http://www.thegordondnaproject.com/162679.html

What a superb image to have in your collection..what a shame you don't want any restortations 

Carol,  That is no coincidence but my DNA results - we are trying to determine how Peter Laing Gordon inherited an estate from someone he apparently (according to agents of the Duke of Huntly) was not related to.

And, anyone who wants to take a crack at a restoration is welcome - I just plan on doing it myself when I have time (I'm in the middle of splitting my database of 3000 souls in TMG so my free time is naught) - The restorations just aren't required.

[PrueM]

Hi Bruce

Fantastic image!

I'm guessing, as you have, that it's an overpainted photograph.  Very heavily (and quite well) painted, too.  The sitter looks youngish so I'd guess at a date in the 1840s or early 50s...that would make the original a daguerreotype or ambrotype, as Jim says.  Of course the youth could be enhanced - we can't see what he really looks like under all that paint - so in reality it might have been a photo on paper from the 1860s, and he's a fair bit older than he looks 

Can you give us an idea of the size of the pic? 

Would love to see the "good" photo when you are able to take it, and a few more details of framing etc. just for interest's sake...if you care to post 

Cheers
Prue

[Treetotal]

Hi Gordon....You say in your first post that it is a photo of a painting...Do you have any idea who the artist was because it looks very much like it is an Oil Pastel to me...It's unusual for a painting to be under glass.
The left hand side of his body is out of proportion too...not just the hand....His shoulder would be elevated when his arm is raised is this position...Just my opinion.
Carol

[gordonbb]

...Can you give us an idea of the size of the pic? 

Would love to see the "good" photo when you are able to take it, and a few more details of framing etc. just for interest's sake...if you care to post  ...

Here[/u] is a link to a down scaled version of the image I received (still to big to post though).  You can see the frame but there is nothing to give it scale.

I'd say a Daguerreotype would be the right size though.

I'll ask my cousin for more details.

It's frustrating having a copy stand and a good camera but not being able to use it.

I've been chasing this gentlemen for so long that it is just great having an image of him.

Regards,

Bruce