This portrait of Selina Childers in a classical décolleté cross-over gown, is typical of Andrew Plimer’s work during the 1790s both in terms of the artist’s technique and in the presentation of his sitter. Like his master, Richard Cosway, Plimer often set his sitters against a clouded blue sky backdrop and, although a meticulous artist, he had a tendency, as witnessed by this portrait, to elongate his sitter’s nose.Born in 1773, Selina Gideon Eardley was the daughter of Sir Sampson Gideon Eardley and his wife Mary Marrow Wilmot. Her grandfather allegedly made the family’s fortune by speculating on stocks whilst the market was in panic due to the Pretender’s failed invasion of 1745. Although Jewish, he brought his children up as Christians. In 1797 (most likely the year this portrait was painted) at the age of 23 Selina married John Walbanke Childers of Cantley Hall near Doncaster. One of John’s ancestors bred a famous stallion – ‘Flying Childers’ – that was reputed to be the fleete...