(The connoisseur)
(c. 1890)

Bernard HALL

Medium: oil on canvas
Measurements: 60.7 × 33.0 cm
Place/s of Execution: (London), (England)
Inscription: inscribed (diagonally) in black paint l.r.: B. Hall (all underlined)
Accession Number: 2004.769
Department: Australian Painting
Credit Line: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
K.M. Christensen and A. E. Bond Bequest, 2004
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location: Not on display
Subjects (general): Human Figures Literary and Text
Subjects (specific): Chinese ceramics styles Chinese characters (writing system) hats men (male humans) spectacles (eyeglasses) suits (main garments) umbrellas vases
Frame: Original, by Samuel Coombes, London

Frame

This simple, elegant frame on a painting by Bernard Hall is reflective of the restrained taste of the Arts and Crafts movement. Hall became Director of the NGV in 1892 and there is little doubt he exercised aesthetic control over the framing of the collection in his time as Director. A number of frames in John Thallon’s ledger are itemised for National Gallery. Between 16 October 1894 and 8 October 1902 there are fifty dated entries under National Gallery. Each entry covers several items. They include thirty-two frames, repairing and regilding of others, the mounting of works on paper and of photographs and the preparation and writing of tablets (identifying artist and artwork) to be attached to existing frames. There are also a number of entries for Hall.
Framemaker: Samuel Coombes

331, Strand, London
Date: (1890)
Materials: The frame is built from four simple angled profiles of solid oak timber. The corners are mitred and nailed. The surface is gold leaf direct to the timber. The grain of the timber is noticeable through the gilding.
Frame Condition: The frame appears to be in good original condition. The gilding is worn and the appearance of the grain may be somewhat exaggerated by ageing of the surface.
Dimensions: 72.0 x 45.0 x 2.8 cm; sight 59.6 x 32.5 cm
More Information: National Portrait Gallery