Resplendent in an eye-catching gold-sprigged turban headdress and claret dress with a lace-edged collar, this lady is known solely as Mrs Roberts of Esher, Surrey. Inspired by Eastern culture, turbans ą la turque were popular during the 1820s and were advertised daily in the London papers. This led to a demand for ‘turban cap-makers’ who were assured of ‘constant employ’.The composition is signed with a flourish in pencil on the reverse, J.C.D. Engleheart / Pinxit 1822 / 70 Berners St / London. The portrait demonstrates Engleheart’s mastery of the ‘wet on wet’ technique which he has used to add shimmer and texture to the dress. It is set in the original decorative gilt metal frame.Having worked closely with his uncle – George Engleheart – since the age of fourteen, John Cox Dillman Engleheart finally gained his own studio at 88 Newman Street in 1807/8. His technique and style was inevitably influenced by his uncle but independence brought with it a new confidence to paint large...