Nice picture, probably not a great idea to annoy your spouse with it. Do you have your own home office or other spot that she doesn't see often? Otherwise, it could be resold.

I like it ... no love, not loathing. maybe she's allergic to smoke? LOL!

'"bifton
To put it into context, I should perhaps mention she also said it was bad enough having one grumpy old man in the house without having another one staring down at her!"

I would say main problem is not this painting ,it is your grumpiness.
LOL

I would hang it in the guest bathroom (sideways as shown) it should bring forth some wonderment to the guests;))

What I think is probably irrelevant. (For a gentleman's lounge, Dugal would be brilliant displayed along with an amazing collection of antique pipes.)

In a shared space you really both should love it. In my three decades with my DH, aside from the Waverly floral shower curtain that was a wedding gift, I've never let another floral (that wasn't alive) cross my threshold. Not that he's asked that of me, but I wouldn't impose that on him. Paislies, however, are my abundant compromise.

While he certainly trusts my judgment, in cases where he's wanted to have input that differs from my direction, I find myself opened up to new possibilities I hadn't considered and am often ultimately better for it, as I think he'll readily admit he is as well.

See what you can come up with together, either to make Dugal a welcome member of the family -- or show him the door. (Or call him "Sinter Klutz," dress him with greens, and hang him in December only.)

I think you NEED him around ... you know, so when you forget to put the toilet seat down you can say "Dugal did it" ... or when you leave the jam jar and sticky knife on the counter -- "that darned Dugal!"

...or "his" side of the walk-in home haberdashery. (Closet.)

Love it

It should be in your own room /office.. Dark walls.. It's cool .. I understand how she feels though ..
My husband and I always had a deal where we wouldn't purchase anything for the main part of our apt unless we both agreed.. but he could do anything he wanted in his private area.. We were married for 35 years

I like this painting. There are things around our house that my husband likes and I dislike, but I get used to them, and go on with life. They will not bring the world to an end :-)

You'll have to lock the door to the room. That's how the hubster keeps his "hobby room" secure at our house .......... :D

I don't love or loathe this painting. I think in the right room and other accent pieces this gypsy man would fit right in. The frame is magnificent as someone else said. The fact that its an original piece of artwork also adds to the story behind it. I'll say I like it. Nice find at the flea market.

I would place it in a suitably proportioned wall space, perhaps in a hall or side rather than focal surface. You'll enjoy its presence and she'll be able to ignore it while, overall, it adds to the look of your place.

Thanks everyone for your advice on the painting and our relationship! I am going to try and make a decision by Saturday... I'll lock the rolling pin up in advance :)

He's not handsome nor is he smiling , it might be well done and in a magnificent frame - but really ?!?
... I'm with your other half - it's hideous !! And I live in an old cottage that would suit an old portrait - but I'm sorry - if I'm going to pay money to look at something - the least I'd want is a smile !!!

I like it because it is different. This poor old grumpy man just wants a friend and he's got one in me. I tend to feel sympathetic and want to make him smile. I find this very interesting to look at. I wonder what he is thinking? He kinda drew me in to want to know more about him. For me, this painting evokes many emotions and questions about this sad soul and his life. Isn't that what art should do?

The style of painting reminds me of an Old Masters. It has character and would be just another face without it.

The best way to hang it is in a gallery. If you mix it with various portraits and different frames, it will be part of a bigger collection and this blend in. Think of mixing media: photographs, modern, sketches etc. What it has is authenticity and excellent workmanship. In a world of sleek and cheap, it is nice to own something with a patina of age, character and integrity. Hope you and DW can find a place for it.

I agree ASV.

He's looking at me like he's disappointed in me. Not what I'd want on my wall.

I love it.

What I think is...if she doesn't, maybe try to find an area where you can keep it and hang it and she is okay with it.

If she doesn't want it anywhere...maybe you should look for art together. =)

Or...try to compromise, having an agreement that you keep that piece because you love it...and she can pick a piece that she loves. Win win.

I just realized, really looked close at the painting. He's not grumpy at all ........ he's sad. That's what I see :)

Maybe she will see him differently now. He's just sad :(

First I would seriously get it appraised - might change her mind. Since you liked it well enough to buy it, there should be a place, somewhere, in the house for it.

I agree with Judi, I think it may be worth more than you would expect.

Ladies, lets be really honest here, if the roles were reversed wouldn't we have copious amounts of tears by now.

After reading your update (the "grumpy old man" comment by your wife) it made her opinion make more sense to me.

When someone dislikes a piece ("I love it, she hates it") it helps to know why. Is it because the person thinks the painting is poorly executed, has the wrong colours for their decor, or is just a subject they don't like.

It would appear that your wife is likely not commenting on the artistic merits of the painting, but rather on the subject matter (the man's appearance; his expression; etc.). In that case, I would agree with several of the above commenters who suggested:
a) Shop for something you both like, or
b) See if your wife might agree to hanging it in a secondary room where she doesn't have to look at it as often.

Although it would be a shame to get rid of a portrait that appears to have the artistic merit this one seems to, I believe that peace in a relationship comes first, however you achieve it in your case.

Z.

Do you have a study of your own?
I envision"him" in a manly room.
(I could see how he might clash in a furnished room- one that is not eclectic)

Reminds me of a TV show. Your painting is an older version similar to Red Skelton as Clem Kiddlehopper character. Red was a sad clown in many of the paintings done by the artist.

Thanks everyone again for your help and advice. The problem I have is that, whilst we do have a study, we share it, so no hope of Dugal going there- my wife says the only place for him is in the greenhouse- which if you have a look at the photo is definitely not suitable for an oil painting... The place I had in mind was the parlour- the photo isnt too clear, but you can see what I have tried to do here? But again, it's a shared room, so, um, not an option apparently; and the only place in the house which is really only for me is a tiny bathroom up in the roof- but as you will see from the photos the decor doesnt lend itself to an oil painting and the steam wouldnt really do Dugal any favours...! What options have I left?!

Wow. It would have gone beautifully in the parlor! Greenhouse will make dugal even sadder. On second thoughts your bathroom would have a great touch of class if you could find a place for him there. And isn't a little humidity better than too much dry air? If not. eBay?

It would look great in the room with the leather chair!!!

Bifton - you have obviously reached an impasse here, wrap it carefully and put it away, do NOT sell it. This painting obviously means a lot to you and if you sell it could always be something you really regret. Put it where you can look at it regularly and maybe some day your wife will come to love it as you do. You have a beautiful home.

The room with the leather chair is the parlour, dkvhaus, the very room in contention!

Love your design sense. Home is lovely!

Sorry Bifton- I didn't understand which room at first.
You have my vote!

Hi Bifton,
I'm kinda twitching here. In the photo there is a line around the painting itself that suggests that at some point there was an inner matte/board that is no longer there. Or is the line from the inner backboard (the bit with the label) applying pressure on the picture itself in which case you need to get it fixed. And is this painting English? Something wrong about the hat and the pipe. At this period a clay pipe is more likely in the UK and the hat is.... not British! But if he's a gypsy that can be explained away, ye roving travelers, darn foreigners and all that stuff, grin.
Get it checked out professionally, plus the frame needs attention based on that staple, and the painting itself..... Something bothers me
Marital harmony is not my forte, I refrain from opinion!

Do you have a hallway or foyer?

Shame she doesn't like it because he'd be perfect over the bookcase in the parlour (gorgeous room btw). If my husband brought that home I'd be doing the Very Happy Dance. Hope things work out for you!

I noticed that in your parlor you have a small picture by the window next to the bookcase. Would she be ok with it there? Especially if you happen to have another bookcase in the room - and you each have "your bookcase". That corner area by the window would be the perfect space for the one picture or maybe both. We have some pictures that my husband and I have very different opinions. Yes he has some that I absolutely hate but I compromised and let him have them in "his space" or areas of the house that are not in the main living areas of our home. I still have to see them occasionally but its ok. We try to work together and he knows "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". Good luck.

I have a lot of decor I don't like to please Hubby. However I drew the line and insisted a lot had to go when we got engaged. I would have your picture though. Get it valued.

On a lighter note, you could name him and make up creative stories about him for guests. Maybe your wife will embrace him if there's a great back story!

This might be a fake. Looks like the canvas has been removed and replaced in the frame. However, I expect you didn't pay $$$ since it's from a flea market?

I actually love the frame, but nog do crazy about the painting. You could use the frame for another painting

I don't go for much for people in pics, I always chose floral, landscape scenes from around the world or abstract.

Hello everyone again! Thanks again for all the helpful comments- I am amazed at the interest that this painting has aroused. I have studied the painting very carefully and the line around the painting is caused by the pressure from the inner backboard, so that will have to be addressed.

As to the origin of the painting, that remains a mystery, as does the artist themselves- all I know is that it was framed in Hull, UK. I got it for a very good price, but I did have to engage in a bit of bartering with the lady selling it, who looked like a possible descendant of the subject! The hat and pipe are mysterious, but if you look carefully you will see that the man also has his ear pierced, which suggests he is a gypsy- During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the gipsies in the UK came mainly from Eastern Europe, particularly Romania, and engaged mainly in horse-trading. They were very much despised and mistrusted by the general populace, and were associated with petty theft. The Romanian connection could explain the hat and the pipe- evidently unusual enough for the artist to paint in the first instance.

I am going to get the painting valued before we make a further decision- I am going to show all your comments to my wife in the hope that perhaps may have a change of mind!

Thanks to all again for your helpful input...!

Your poor wife !!! I feel for her !!! Show her this .... ! I hate it !! Ewwwww !!! Hope you find out it's worth loads and you sell it and go to the Maldives for three weeks on the proceeds !!!!

Haha, I wouldnt mind that outcome either, truth be told!