Bathed in soft light and framed by a luminous oval of carved and gilded wood, this portrait captures a moment of poised anticipation: a young woman on the threshold of adult life, composed yet full of inner vitality.
Painted around 1695–1705, and attributed to the Circle of Michael Dahl, this portrait is most plausibly a depiction of Elizabeth Byng (1680–1759), later the wife of Reverend William Wray, Rector of Broad Chalke, Wiltshire. The painting likely marks a key moment in her life—possibly her coming of age, or a betrothal—during a period in England when portraiture served as a statement of social identity, familial pride, and future alliance.
Elizabeth was born into a distinguished and intellectually engaged family. Her father, John Byng, was a gentleman of the City of London; her mother, Elizabeth Bateman, came from a family rooted in the capital’s mercantile and professional class. But it was through her brothers—Robert Byng (1666–1720) and Edward Byng (c.1676–1753)—that
... Elizabeth stood at the very heart of the English artistic world.
Both Robert and Edward were active in the vibrant portrait scene of late seventeenth-century London. Edward, in particular, became the chief assistant to Sir Godfrey Kneller, England’s leading Baroque portraitist and Principal Painter to the Crown. Edward Byng lived in Kneller’s house on Great Queen Street and, upon Kneller’s death in 1723, was entrusted with all his drawings and unfinished works. Many of these he completed himself—receiving the remaining fees owed to the master—evidence of both technical skill and professional esteem. Edward’s numerous sketchbooks and drawings, many now housed in the British Museum, form one of the richest surviving visual archives of the age. It is possible that this portrait of his sister was painted within that circle—conceivably even as a collaborative work between Edward and another hand from Kneller or Dahl’s studio.
In 1711, Elizabeth married Rev. William Wray and the couple had at least six children.
The portrait''s attribution to the Circle of Michael Dahl (1659–1743) is supported by its oval format, the sitter’s idealised features, and the delicate modelling of light across her face and drapery.
Notably, the painting survives in exceptional condition. The surface retains its original tonal range and refinement with only the most minimal intervention over time. There is no evidence of heavy retouching or overpainting—allowing the artist’s hand and the sitter’s character to remain remarkably intact. Few works of this period reach us with such clarity of execution and purity of surface.
Set against the backdrop of England’s post-Glorious Revolution stability and cultural flowering, the portrait reflects a world in which aristocratic and gentry families commissioned likenesses not only to assert social standing, but to anchor personal memory and familial continuity. Painted at a time when England was transitioning from the final Stuart monarchs into a new Hanoverian age, this work offers a window into the domestic and cultural life of the landed professional class in early 18th-century England.
Preserved in a fine carved and gilded oval frame, richly adorned with stylised foliage. Both intimate and stately, the portrait offers collectors a rare convergence of artistic pedigree and enduring visual charm.
Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com
In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a distinct advantage: we sift through thousands of works to provide a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.
With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.
Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?
• Expertly Curated Selection
We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.
• Museum-Level Research
Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.
• Professional Conservation
All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.
• Transparent Pricing
No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.
• Export Pricing Advantage
Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.
• Specialist Global Shipping
We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.
• Buy with Confidence
A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.
• Original Period Frames
Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.
• Personal Advisory Service
We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.
Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new worksAntique ID Number (AIDN): SA1173352
Dateline of this antique is 17th Century
Height is 88cm (34.6inches)Width is 76cm (29.9inches)Depth is 6cm (2.4inches)
Thank you.
Your comment has been sent to Sellingantiques.