Two (2) Continental School, circa 1800 oil on canvas religious paintings in similar frames. 1st item: Classical scene depicting Mary holding the Christ as a child, observed by groups of cherubs at her feet and in the sky. while a male figure, possibly Joseph, reads from a book in the background. 16 1/4" H x 13 1/8" W; framed: 22 1/2" H x 19 1/2" W. 2nd item: Pieta in the style of El Greco, depicting Mary holding Christ's body after His crucifixion and gazing upwards in supplication with two cherubs at her side. 16 1/4" H x 14 7/8" W; framed: 22 1/2" H x 21" W. Both paintings with "Estate of F. H. Whitmore" labels affixed, en verso, and housed in identical giltwood frames with bead course sight edge. Note: Copies of the institution's accession documentation are available to the winning bidder. The documentation on the Pieta painting has a hand-written note, "Bought at Beckhardt" – possibly a reference to dealer Adolf Beckhardt, who worked in New York City between 1890-1962. An F.H. Whitmore with considerable assets appears in tax lists for Connecticut and New York City in the 1860s.

PROVENANCE: Property of a Tennessee Religious Institution.

CONDITION: Christ child painting over cleaned or skinned with minor areas of inpainting to the left of Mary's profile and right of lower kneeling cherub. Pieta painting with craquelure throughout; evidence of old cleaning and possible inpainting with corresponding areas fluorescing under UV light. Pieta frame with minute loss of gilt at top left corner of sight edge.