Mrs Bull Stylish Georgian Silhouettes 1780s

18th century

Sold by Wigs on the Green

Description

During the mid-1780s, Isabella Beetham was struggling to keep up with the demand for silhouette portraits so it is believed that she enlisted the help of Mrs Bull. Mrs Bull would therefore have adopted her employer's style so, when she established her own short-lived studio after a couple of years, she would have continued to work in the same style though she was more liberal in her use of gum arabic and sometimes used a grey base for her sitters' hair. Both these traits are apparent in this pair of profiles so, although resembling Mrs Beetham's work, it seems likely that they are by the hand of her erstwhile assistant Mrs Bull.

Painted on card, the silhouettes portray a well-dressed couple: the gentleman in a catagon wig with a Ramillies plait tied with ribbon; and, the lady with a heavily frilled neckline and long spiralling curls.

The silhouettes are held in matching original turned wood frames and are both backed with the framer's trade label. Both have inevitable age-darkening and the gent has a slight mark to the left hand side of his face and a repair with small loss to the bottom edge of the frame. Nonetheless, the pair display really well and will enhance any collection of eighteenth century profiles.

Framed: 118 x 94mm

Physical Dimensions

Height

12cm (4.72")

Width

9.5cm (3.74")

Declaration

Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1225575

Dealers Internal Reference

7496

Dealers Notes

All prices include UK postage. International shipping will be at cost.

Description

“

Both these traits are apparent in this pair of profiles so, although resembling Mrs Beetham's work, it seems likely that they are by the hand of her erstwhile assistant Mrs Bull.

Wigs on the Green

fig 1. Mrs Bull Stylish Georgian Silhouettes 1780s

Painted on card, the silhouettes portray a well-dressed couple: the gentleman in a catagon wig with a Ramillies plait tied with ribbon; and, the lady with a heavily frilled neckline and long spiralling curls.

fig 2. Mrs Bull Stylish Georgian Silhouettes 1780s

The silhouettes are held in matching original turned wood frames and are both backed with the framer's trade label. Both have inevitable age-darkening and the gent has a slight mark to the left hand side of his face and a repair with small loss to the bottom edge of the frame. Nonetheless, the pair display really well and will enhance any collection of eighteenth century profiles.

Framed: 118 x 94mm