Antique Framed Pastel and Gouache Portraits of Franz and Johanna von Schrutek de Monteselva

This beautiful pair of antique portraits, done in gouache and pastels, depict Franz and Johanna von Schrutek de Monteselva of Estonia. Franz is shown in his Oberst's uniform (an Oberst is a military field officer in German-speaking countries, equivalent to Colonel.) Johanna is pictured in a lace collared dress with brooch and upswept hairdo.

The couple was married in 1851 in Reval (aka Tallinn) in Estonia and this pair was probably painted for their wedding portraits. They had 10 years and two daughters together before Franz tragically drowned in the Gulf of Finland off the coast of Tallinn.

Each painting measures 9 1/2 inches by 7 1/2 in its narrow, gilded wood frame and each weighs 3/4 of a pound. The gilding is worn and so are the dust papers on back, which have family genealogies notated in ink on them (see the NOTE below for translations). Each has a metal circlet attached to the back for hanging.

Both portraits have tiny faded spots and white spots on them which are far more visible in our close-up photos than when they're hung on the wall. They're both otherwise in good condition, including the old glass covering them, and have a lovely, antique charm.

NOTE: Translation of German writing on the back of Johanna's portrait:

Johanna (Jenny) Girard de Soucanton {maiden name}
verehelicht {married}
Schrutek von Monteselva
geb. {geboren=born} 1821
gest. {gestorben=died} 1895

Translation for Franz:

K.K. Öster. {kaiserlich-königlich Österreich Armée=Austrian Army} Oberst geb. {geboren=born} 6 V 1806 {May 6 1806}
Franz von Schrutek de Monteselva
gest. {(gestorben=died)} December 20, 1861
ertrinken in der {drowned in} Revaler Budt {??}

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