Martha Barrett, pictured here in profile wearing a traditional Quaker’s cap, was the half-sister of Elizabeth, the wife of the artist Thomas Pole. Martha had already passed away so the silhouette was painted from memory, most likely at the request of Elizabeth as a memorial. The profile is set within an octagonal watercolour border surrounded by finely painted foliage with a church, houses and classical folly in the background and personal items associated with Martha in the foreground including books, a needlework basket, a drawing book, a paint palette and brushes. It is signed in tiny script ‘T. Pole M.D. delin. 9 mo. 1822’.The silhouette is presented in the original gilt wood frame with an inner pie crust border and floral corner rosettes. The frame has darkened with age and the bottom two rosettes have old loss with partial old restoration to one. The silhouette itself has light dust soiling.Born in 1749, Martha was the daughter of William & Sarah Barrett of Cheltenham. Up...