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J. J. Fonseca 1817-95 W/colour Bay Horse Madras 75
We are offering for sale this fine quality watercolour by the artist John Joseph Fonseca, who has signed the painting in the lower right hand corner and dated it Madras, 1875. The painting depicts a bay horse in a stable, with its rugs thrown over a manger on the wall. The artist has made masterful use of the light to show the sheen on the coat of the well groomed animal. His ability to make his subject come alive in this way is a common theme in his other paintings of horses.
The name Fonseca is of Portuguese derivation and, in actual fact, the artist signs J. J. Fonceca. This is because in English we do not write a c with a cedilla under it, as the first c in his name is written, which would give it the sound of a s, so it is simply written Fonseca here. The surname is a common one in Madras in this period, as there were many Portuguese there.
John Joseph was born in 1817, presumably in Madras, although we cannot find a birth record for him, the son of Thomas Fonceca 1783-1860. Although we have read that he was a Major in the Indian Army, we do not believe that is correct, as we have found a reference to him being the Secretary to the Church Mission Press in Madras in 1843. In 1849, he married a 21 yoar old widow called Anne Meppen, nee Jones, and they had 3 children, William Urban Fonceca 1853-1937, Cecil Joseph Fonceca b. 1856 and Adelaide Josephine 1866, who married a Robert Underdown II 1895.
Other than his beautifully written will, which can still be viewed online, we can find no further information about the artist, save that he died on 2nd November 1895, with his occupation listed as Artist. He left his estate to be divided into four portions, three to be given to his children and the fourth to be invested and the interest paid to his wife for her lifetime, after which it shold be split between his children or their heirs.
Five of the artist's watercolour are in the Victoria & Albert Museum. These are portraits of Hindus, 4 of women and one of a man. The only watercolours that we have found come to the market in recent years have been of horses. except for one landscape of Government House in Madres, and they achieve quite high prices.
The watercolour has been newly double mounted in two-tone acid-free nmountboard and is newly framed in a 1 1/4 inch dark copper coloured wooden frame to suit.
Image size: 16 5/8 x 12 3/4 inches - 42.25cm x 32.4cm
Frame size: 24 1/4 x 21 inches - 61.55cm x 53.25cm
Medium: Watercolours on paper
Condition: Very good. There is no foxing, fading, or damage. The mounts and frame are new.
SellerStudio RT Ltd
View all stock from
Studio RT Ltd
Private Art dealer
By appointment only
Kent
England, UK
Tel : 01622 812556
Non UK callers : +44 1622 812556
The name Fonseca is of Portuguese derivation and, in actual fact, the artist signs J. J. Fonceca. This is because in English we do not write a c with a cedilla under it, as the first c in his name is written, which would give it the sound of a s, so it is simply written Fonseca here. The surname is a common one in Madras in this period, as there were many Portuguese there.
John Joseph was born in 1817, presumably in Madras, although we cannot find a birth record for him, the son of Thomas Fonceca 1783-1860. Although we have read that he was a Major in the Indian Army, we do not believe that is correct, as we have found a reference to him being the Secretary to the Church Mission Press in Madras in 1843. In 1849, he married a 21 yoar old widow called Anne Meppen, nee Jones, and they had 3 children, William Urban Fonceca 1853-1937, Cecil Joseph Fonceca b. 1856 and Adelaide Josephine 1866, who married a Robert Underdown II 1895.
Other than his beautifully written will, which can still be viewed online, we can find no further information about the artist, save that he died on 2nd November 1895, with his occupation listed as Artist. He left his estate to be divided into four portions, three to be given to his children and the fourth to be invested and the interest paid to his wife for her lifetime, after which it shold be split between his children or their heirs.
Five of the artist's watercolour are in the Victoria & Albert Museum. These are portraits of Hindus, 4 of women and one of a man. The only watercolours that we have found come to the market in recent years have been of horses. except for one landscape of Government House in Madres, and they achieve quite high prices.
The watercolour has been newly double mounted in two-tone acid-free nmountboard and is newly framed in a 1 1/4 inch dark copper coloured wooden frame to suit.
Image size: 16 5/8 x 12 3/4 inches - 42.25cm x 32.4cm
Frame size: 24 1/4 x 21 inches - 61.55cm x 53.25cm
Medium: Watercolours on paper
Condition: Very good. There is no foxing, fading, or damage. The mounts and frame are new.
Price
Click here to message the seller The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 23/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Plus shipping at cost, please email dealer with postcode for quote.
Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art
> Antique Watercolours
Date 1875
Mid Victorian Antiques Material Paper
Origin Indian
Item code as237a2488
Status For Sale
£465.00 
$617.29
€543.68
$617.29
€543.68
Looking to Buy?
Arrange a final price and delivery details directly with the dealerClick here to message the seller
Conversion rates as of 23/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Plus shipping at cost, please email dealer with postcode for quote.
View all stock from
Studio RT Ltd
Private Art dealerBy appointment only
Kent
England, UK
Tel : 01622 812556
Non UK callers : +44 1622 812556
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