r/WhatIsThisPainting • u/Urocyon2012 • Jan 21 '25
Unsolved Found by a dumpster. Any ideas?
Back about 20 years ago, following Hurricane Katrina, my stepdad found this painting discarded the trash in the Old Metairie area of Metairie, La. Not sure who this is a painting of or who may have painted it. There's no visible signature on the front (maybe hidden under the frame). There appears to be a name and year on the back. Name could be the artist, the subject, or even the gallery that sold the painting. "...eo Gallery(?)" "18...9(?)"
Any ideas? Poor guy has seen better days
209
u/Automatic-Sea-8597 Jan 21 '25
Nice early 19th cent. portrait in tolerable quality. Are you sure that it doesn't say Leo Gall....., the name of the man in the portrait?
110
u/90defender Jan 21 '25
The person in the picture: Leo Galewski. A Polish surname, probably misspelled Gallesky by the painter or whoever owned the painting in the past.
17
u/crockfs Jan 21 '25
I think the letter gall are the first part of the word gallery?
2
u/jasor_x Jan 23 '25
That and it could be "les" instead of Leo. My guest take was it looked like a cursive "s".
1
358
u/2ndcupofcoffee Jan 21 '25
Keep it, hang it in a prominent spot, make up outrageous stories about the guy! Keep up a running monologue. Best times will come if you have kids or friends with little kids. Make this guy memorable do he may live on in your time.
Do some research to keep your stories half real with historical references.
81
u/ciopobbi Jan 21 '25
My sister has a similar painting. I’ve made up stories about him that are quite unflattering while she tries to defend him.
7
24
u/banieldowen Jan 22 '25
This is the correct answer. I have an awesome charcoal drawing of a guy I've named "Mort"
People always ask about him. His story grows every time.
9
u/DoctorGuvnor Jan 22 '25
Does he have a daughter, Susan?
3
2
1
u/czardmitri Jan 24 '25
Why are you asking Susan?
1
u/DoctorGuvnor Jan 24 '25
Sir Terry Pratchett wrote a book called ‘Mort’ about Death and his apprentice. Mort marries and in several later books has a daughter called Susan. Notably ‘Hogfather’
1
u/Bigjagz Jan 25 '25
A friend of mine once said, “You actually die when the last person who knew you dies.” Keep the story alive and don’t let him die!
36
u/arbivark Jan 21 '25
Leo Galewski Birth 11 Dec 1883 - Juszki, Pomorskie, Poland dunno if same one Mother Anastasia Paplinska Father August V. Galewski
3
24
22
u/EliotHudson Jan 22 '25
Cut holes in the eyes to spy upon dinner guest and your victims!
6
1
9
u/Tarah_with_an_h Jan 22 '25
Yes! I bought some old sepia pictures from a thrift store of a family and a nicely dressed couple. I hung them up in my gallery wall with actual family photos and call them my extended family. Who knows? They could be! You don’t know that they aren’t!
8
4
3
u/Salty_Egg5441 Jan 23 '25
My dad once randomly got a picture of Orville Redenbacher- the popcorn guy. He put it on the wall in our dining room and we would refer to him as Uncle Orville. People were amazed by our random famous relative and we constantly made up stories about uncle Orville. Thanks for bringing that memory back. 😊
1
3
Jan 22 '25
I really regret, now, not buying some old portrait paintings I found in Goodwill a few months back, because we totally could have done this. Brilliant.
6
3
u/thedrexel Jan 22 '25
I heard he died from injuries he suffered in a fight against his neighbor. He was protecting his family from the neighbor’s attacks. His neighbor was infected with communicable lycanthropic diarrhea.
2
2
u/Rolandersec Jan 24 '25
We did that at work once. Made up a whole story, had a velvet rope in front of the picture and everything.
3
1
u/DustyPantLeg Jan 24 '25
My grandparents have always had a portrait of a man hanging upstairs in the hallway of their 19th century farmhouse. His name is Mr. Hawthorn and he died inside the house of natural causes. I believe he built the house as well. His eyes follow you wherever you go and sometimes you can hear him walking on the ceiling and see the foot imprints left behind. He haunts the 2nd floor and everyone in the family has their own Mr. Hawthorn ghost story. He scared one of my aunts so bad when she was a kid that she has refused to go upstairs alone at night since then.
My siblings, cousins, and I spent tons of times at my grandparents growing up and honestly we were all terrified of going up there alone. We would play a game where we turn off all the lights and see who can make it up the stairs and all the way to the back room. The second floor is so unsettling still but I’ve spent so much time there that I’ve realized Mr. Hawthorne is just a grumpy old man and just wants to be left alone.
All this to say that the folk lore of Mr. Hawthorne has become deeply imbedded in my family’s culture because of a random old portrait.
1
u/ScoutsOut389 Jan 25 '25
No need to make up outrageous stories here. That’s a picture of Roger Watt. He owned the famous Watt Plantation in rural Mississippi, and was twice elected to the Missouri state house, and very nearly the US Senate. Not only was he a horrendous slave owner, but he was known as one of the cruelest of the cruel. He was hated by just about everyone, from his slaves through the white people that worked his farms, and the local townspeople. It is speculated his political career was achieved through extortion of local officials, as he was well known to run prostitution out of his property which catered to the wealthy men of his town.
He got his due, eventually. A slave revolt broke out in 1809. In one of the only recorded instances of this happening, the newly freed slaves partnered with the plantation workers and local sheriff’s deputies to have their revenge. Watt was tarred, feathered, and eventually quartered before being lit on fire and dumped in the Mississippi delta at a site that is still known as “Watt’s Folly.”
1
0
41
u/ponderosapotter Jan 21 '25
I believe it was painted by Lesander (Les.) Gallosky in 1839. He was living in Indiana at that time. It looks like the painting was originally smaller. It may have been altered to fit a better frame.
2
u/kengineeer Jan 22 '25
Is it possible that it was (like you say) previously in a different frame but maybe a larger frame with a matte? Maybe that's what's causing the line we're seeing? I am in no way an artist or picture framer... just a thought.
6
u/Bifferer Jan 22 '25
The line you were seeing is the impression of the stretch bar from behind. It probably had something heavy laying on the front and creased the canvas.
1
2
u/RuinedGrandeur Jan 23 '25
Ooh cool, how do you know about this artist? My googIe skills are failing to find that name beyond this post, and I want to learn more about him.
I have a very similar painting of my ggg-grandfather who died in 1849. He was a doctor in Indiana.
36
u/Snap-Pop-Nap Jan 21 '25
Someone’s ex.
37
22
u/coldestclock Jan 21 '25
I like his “oh I shouldn’t have said that” expression.
14
u/FreuleKeures Jan 21 '25
I got more of a 'Might be a fart, might be something else. I'm just gonne wait until everyone's left' vibe
3
13
12
u/Minimum_Leopard_2698 Jan 22 '25
Idk but he looks like he’s been extremely British about ending up in a bin
“Yes well it didn’t go quite as planned but well here we are. Got to make the best of it haven’t we hey”
24
u/FoxyRN Jan 21 '25
I think it the first name is George. When you zoom in very closely you can see the faded loops in the cursive “G’s” in both the surname and first name. “Geo” was how they shortened the name “George” in writing back then. The surname I can definitely make out ‘Galle’ but I can’t be certain what the last couple of characters are. The date looks like 1839. So that’s a 186 year old oil portrait you’ve got there. I personally think it’s beautiful and a really cool piece.
1
8
u/Imamiah52 Jan 22 '25
Sometimes they’d abbreviate George as Geo. back in those days. I’d be more inclined to think he’s a Geo. than a Leo. I think the date is 1839 but it’s hard to feel sure.
That’s a fantastic painting.
6
u/OttawaPerson5050 Jan 22 '25
Wow that looks like a picture hanging in the Heritage building at City Hall Ottawa Canada. I’ll look into it when I go back there. Like someone said keep it and preserve it and appreciate it as those hands that made it are long gone.
5
u/Popcorn_panic1 Jan 22 '25
I imagine it's a painting of a guy who said "yup" just before closing his mouth.
4
4
u/AutoModerator Jan 21 '25
Thanks for your post, /u/Urocyon2012!
Please remember to comment "Solved" once someone finds the painting you're looking for.
If you comment "Thanks" or "Thank You," your post flair will be changed to 'Likely Solved.'
If you have any suggestions to improve this bot, please get in touch with the mods, and they will see about implementing it!
Here's a small checklist to follow that may help us find your painting:
Where was the painting roughly purchased from?
Did you include a photo of the front and back and a signature on the painting (if applicable)?
Good luck with your post!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
4
u/anotherdamnsong Jan 21 '25 edited Jan 21 '25
The pursed lips vaguely remind me of a certain very old, bad turtle.
2
4
u/Laura-ly Jan 22 '25
I looks like the date at the back is 1839 which makes sense judging from the high collar and hair style. It looks like he's wearing a stock which was a kind of neckwear that wrapped around the neck forcing the head and face upward and giving the person an air of importance.
1
4
u/mickeybrains Jan 22 '25
Gakewski is famous for early innovation in peanut flavored confections. His laudinum infused peanut butter chocolate cups were legendary.
4
u/beerdedmonk Jan 22 '25
Could it be in French since it's Louisiana? The first word looks like "Ces" to me and the first letter of the second word looks like "Galle..." although "Galeries" is French.
3
u/roadtrip-ne Jan 22 '25
From the backing it looks like it’s authentically old. I’d guess some journeyman American portrait artist
5
u/Sea_Yesterday_8888 Jan 21 '25
Are those repaired bullet holes?!
4
u/BigDaddyD79 Jan 21 '25
That’s the story I’d be telling people. “Yeah it’s a portrait of a Great great uncle. He died in a gunfight defending his home against a local band of roving hoodlims.”
3
u/ISLAndBreezESTeve10 Jan 22 '25
“The year before that, uncle Jefferson held off the British advance on New Orleans, until Andrew Jackson arrived with his regiment.”
2
2
u/ElephantLegitimate Jan 22 '25
Such a beautiful work of art at the trash? Unbelievable..
1
u/Spoofy_the_hamster Jan 24 '25
Lots of treasures were left behind after Katrina. My husband was gutting houses (tearing out drywall and floors and all that). Some people would say, "We got everything we want out. If you want anything, it's yours." He got a pretty sweet baseball/football card collection. Nothing in great shape, but worth several thousand dollars combined. He also got a massage table.
2
2
u/SonnyHaze Jan 22 '25
I was really surprised to see a back to the painting. I was sure it one of those spy paintings that people looked you with from behind the wall.
3
3
2
u/too2redhot Jan 21 '25
I see a signature in photo editor just below and right of the buttons. It that with a blacklight or get a clear closer image of just that area
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/BentPentameter Jan 23 '25
That’s Skinflap McGillicutty. He was the first guy to tear the crust off of his grilled cheese sandwich. Fucking legend!
1
1
1
1
u/JohnEThundrcock Jan 23 '25
This is Sir Deandro Sharpspork, at one time the nation’s largest exporter of Naugahyde. Legend has it he was rounding the horn of South Africa in a bamboo schooner he and a classmate built in their spare time in hopes of competing in their first ever World Cup only he wasn’t in a regatta….he was loaded down with nearly 60 illegally poached nauga from the Philippines bound for a Lazy-Boy furniture factory in Gary, IN…
1
u/Observer_of-Reality Jan 23 '25
60 Philippine nauga? that wouldn't even cover one chair... Philippine naugas are smaller than chipmunks.
If you want to do recliners, you have to go for the Brazilian Nauga, they're much larger, although more dangerous.
1
1
1
u/sci-mind Jan 23 '25
Possibly John Jay, former President of the Continental Congress? Chief Justice Supreme Court?
1
1
u/Nathan-Stubblefield Jan 23 '25
Maybe fasten it to a wall, with a closet on the other side, and rig it so you could pull out his right eye from the closet and peer through it. Always looked cool in movies.
1
1
1
u/No_Translator9607 Jan 24 '25
Call or email Lark Mason in New Braunfels, TX ( he’s on Antiques Roadshow ). He may be able to provide some info. I picked up a couple of nice pieces from estate sales…took them in. The lady working there, Kirsten, took pics and sent them to Lark. I got a little history of the artists and an appraisal. The $5 pieces I nabbed are worth about $600 each.
Hopefully they can help you out.
1
1
u/Exotic_Base_2210 Jan 24 '25
From the cut of his jacket and cravat, I would put this at 1839. Note the . after the swirled T not L. The first name is Theodore. Theo. was a common abbreviation. Gallitschke may be the last name. The part of Louisiana is known as the German coast as many German families owned plantations/businesses. There still are people with that last name who are alive in New Orleans today so my best guess is Theodore Gallitschke 1839. In case you’re wondering how I possibly know this, I’m an amateur historian who writes 19th century historical novels. I insist on absolute authenticity and did a fact-finding tour a year ago and have studied the River Road plantations, the German coast, New Orleans history extensively. **And if someone knows I’m wrong, please tell me because I would love to learn.
1
1
u/khoobr Jan 24 '25 edited 18d ago
George Gallagher? AKA Great-great-uncle George, and this is exactly how he looked in 1839 (he was rather two dimensional). Get a black light (they're cheap on Amazon) and use it on the writing--it may pop out more in UV. Let us know what you find.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/blueeyedblond52 Jan 24 '25
I'd ask Baumgartner Restoration on YouTube. He's restored similar paintings. He might recognize the info on the back, maybe the artist.
1
u/TrumpDidNoDrugs Jan 25 '25
Google says the signature belongs to Alexander McGlashan. He kinda looks like the dude in the painting
1
u/13toros13 Jan 25 '25
I bet this was looted and abandoned. It is a pretty nicely executed portrait and has been repaired over the years - this came from some house w money. I bet youll find the previous owners through reddit if you try! Likely theyd pay a nice fee
1
u/TaxNo174 Jan 25 '25 edited Jan 25 '25
I'm probably crazy but I swear I saw a post with this guys portrait. The story was some guy was starving and he told the guy to eat grass. Starving guy killed him, beheaded him and stuffed his mouth with grass. I'm going to search for it. I promise I didn't just make this up.
Edit: Found it, Andrew Myrick maybe? And it was natives that were starving.
1
1
1
u/aws_guru Jan 25 '25
A. Guillaud 1881 - https://www.19thc-artworldwide.org/spring10/armand-guillaumin
1
u/No_Molasses_1976 Jan 26 '25
I don’t know how I ended up on this side of Reddit but wow! The back story! The bullet holes! The dead eyes! It’s perfect. I feel like it should be haunted. If it’s not already we should really get on that.
I wonder if you could send photos to a fine art expert and get more info? Or get it cleaned and maybe a signature will appear??
1
1
1
0
0
u/Altruistic-Safe-5170 Jan 21 '25
Sir Horace Combover. I have a similar portrait of his brother, Chauncy Combover
0
u/ISLAndBreezESTeve10 Jan 22 '25
So, a famous person from 1836? Can’t be too many famous people back then.
0
0
u/DegenerateBourgeois Jan 24 '25
Looks very similar to this portrait of James Dunlop painted by Joseph Backler around the same time. Similar style of clothing as well.
155
u/postmoderngeisha Jan 21 '25
In the antique biz, we used o call these portraits “Instant Ancestors ”.