This early 19th-century English school portrait depicts a demure young lady wearing a white dress with puffy gigot sleeves and holding a guitar.During the late 18th century and early 19th century, guitars rose to popularity among young ladies, many of whom were painted with the instrument. For instance, Sir William Beechey�s (1753-1839) work from 1819 depicts the �The Misses Plowden� at a music recital.And Julie Volpeli�re�s (1780-1842) exquisite piece from circa 1813, depicts a lady in a red dress.Guitars were deemed suitable for women as females could retain their elegance and grace while playing them. It was a preference compared to what many deemed as �male instruments� (a term covering the majority of the orchestra). The priority for a woman was to maintain her decorum.Here, the young lady is fretting a six-string �romantic� guitar, which is held over her shoulder with a decorative blue strap.An inscription on the reverse refers to her as �Great Aunt Matilda� and mentions �Stephen F Shairp�.Medium: Gouache on paperOverall size: 11�� x 13�� / 29cm x 34cmYear of creation: c. 1830Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed on reverse.Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Paper is a little undulant but it doesn�t distract the eye. Frame with some minor age-related wear.Height is 34cm (13.4inches)
Width is 29cm (11.4inches)
Depth is 3cm (1.2inches)