A small studio-made paper piece, bringing together an intriguing old portrait with a genuine piece of nearly 200-year-old paper.

I found this rather wonderful portrait image and printed it onto paper, before mounting it by hand onto an original antique ledger page dating from 1829.

The ledger paper is the real thing, beautifully aged and filled with old handwritten figures, sweeping ink marks, folds, staining and traces of its former working life. Each of these marks belongs to the original document and gives the piece its wonderful, timeworn character.

I particularly love the contrast between the rather solemn sitter and the loose, expressive handwriting surrounding her.

Made as a small piece of visual ephemera for the home or studio, it could be pinned to an inspiration or mood board, propped amongst collections, slipped into a cabinet of curiosities, or simply framed. It would also make an unusual gift for someone who loves old paper, portraiture and found imagery.

The portrait itself is a modern printed reproduction of an old image, rather than an antique print. The ledger sheet onto which it has been mounted is genuine antique paper dating from 1829.

Each piece I make in this way is intended as a little meeting point between something found and something saved.

Details

Studio made by Pomme de Jour

Genuine antique ledger paper, dated 1829

Printed found portrait image, hand mounted

Measures approximately 14 x 21 cm

Unframed

One of a kind

The wonderful ageing, handwriting, marks, folds and imperfections of the ledger paper are all part of the piece.