It was listed by Wigs on the Green. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Regency era.
Her hair is swept up into a knot with short curls framing her face.
The portrait is signed reverse – ‘A. Gallaway / pinxt /Edinr, Jas Square / 1809’. It was reportedly also inscribed formerly by a grandchild of the artist with the suggestion that the sitter was the Countess of Bowden though this title does not appear to exist. St James Square was built around a private garden during the 1770s and was once one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after addresses, a notable resident being the poet Robert Burns who lived there in the late 1780s.
Exceptionally well-painted and in fine condition, the portrait resides in the original gilt metal frame with convex glass and enclosed reverse.
Scottish-born, Alexander Gallaway began his career as a miniaturist in Glasgow working during the 1790s in partnership with a Mr Williams, a landscape artist. During the early 1800s he moved east to Edinburgh where he would have hoped to attract a wider and more prosperous clientele. He exhibited at the Society of Artists in Edinburgh.
Framed Size: 110 x 88mm
Provenance: Bayne-Powell Collection, Sotheby's 1994 ; UK Private Collection
APHA Registration: AFAQ9HY7
Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Regency era.
Small portraiture of character & historical interest
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Wigs on the Green Profile Page
Alexander Gallaway, a Scottish Countess. Miniature Portrait.
