This is a fine 19th century oil on canvas depicting a grateful young mother making ‘A Thank Offering’ before a church altar by the prominent Victorian subject painter Francis William Warwick Topham (1834-1924). The painting is signed and dated by the artist, and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1884. The ‘thank offering’ of the title refers to the mother’s grateful thanks for the safe delivery or recovery from illness of her baby who plays nearby. The painting is presented in a newly commissioned fine quality gold metal leaf swept frame.

As with all of the original antique oil paintings we sell it is offered in the very finest condition it can be for its age having been professionally cleaned and re-varnished.

After studying under his father, the eminent 19th watercolourist Francis W. Topham (1808-1877, Francis William Warwick Topham joined the Royal Academy Schools and the workshop of Charles Gleyre (1808-1874) in Paris. Topham spent much of his life in Italy and became famous for his genre scenes of life in Rome and Capri.

Between 1860 and 1904 Topham exhibited 75 paintings at the Royal Academy – one of those being the painting sold here. In addition, he showed at the British Institution, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Grosvenor Gallery, the Walker Gallery, Manchester City Art Gallery, the Royal Hibernian Academy, and the Royal Institute of Painters in Oil amongst many others.

Dimensions: (framed) 70cm x 55cm (27½” x 21½”)
Dimensions: (canvas only) 51cm x 36cm (20” x 14”)
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Provenance: Private UK collection.
Presentation: Fine quality gold metal leaf swept frame.
Condition: Very good. Newly professionally cleaned and re-varnished. Some slight craquelure commensurate with age. Ready to hang.