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.

Property of a Tennessee Religious Institution.

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.