William Oliver Victorian Oil Painting of a Lady with Red Parasol, Circa 1880
William Oliver Williams (British, 1823-1901)
Young Lady Seated with a Red Parasol
Original Signed Oil on Canvas
Description
A beautiful late Victorian oil painting by William Oliver depicting an elegant young woman seated in a garden beneath a vivid red parasol.
Painted circa 1875-1885, the sitter wears an ivory gown with gold trim and a flowing pink sash. She holds a rose and looks calmly towards the viewer. Her flower-trimmed hat, refined pose and fashionable costume capture the elegance of late Victorian society.
The brilliant red parasol contrasts with the natural green tones of the garden. Oliver''s accomplished technique is evident in the sitter''s delicately modelled features, luminous complexion and carefully observed hands. Sensitive brushwork creates convincing textures across the silk, satin and lace of her costume.
The painting is sometimes known in the art market as The Red
... Parasol. This is believed to be a modern descriptive title rather than its original Victorian exhibition title. The sitter remains unidentified.
Highlights
Original Victorian oil painting.
Signed W. Oliver lower left.
Painted circa 1875-1885.
Professionally conserved during 2026.
Earlier overpainting removed to reveal the artist''s original highlights.
Historic professional full relining.
Original Swedish dealer and biographical labels retained.
Presented in a premium Larson-Juhl gilt frame.
Conservation report and invoice included.
Ready to hang.
The Artist
William Oliver, born William Oliver Williams, was a British Victorian genre painter specialising in elegant female subjects and romantic narrative scenes.
Working professionally as William Oliver, he exhibited at the Royal Academy, British Institution and Society of British Artists.
Examples of his work are represented in the Royal Collection Trust, Birmingham Museums Trust and Rotherham Museums.
Professional Conservation
The canvas previously underwent a historic professional full relining.
During 2026, it received comprehensive conservation by Vanessa Andrew MA, Fine Art Conservator, whose studio is based at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum.
Treatment included cleaning, consolidation, removal of discoloured varnish and non-original overpainting, repair of a historic canvas tear, strip-lining, sympathetic retouching and the application of conservation-grade varnishes.
Earlier restoration had obscured original highlights on the sitter''s white dress. These additions were carefully removed, revealing Oliver''s original brushwork and intended effects of light and texture.
A professional conservation report and invoice accompany the painting.
Frame
Recently reframed in a premium Larson-Juhl gilt moulded frame with a protective backing board.
The historic labels and provenance information are preserved beneath the backing board. The painting is fitted for hanging.
Provenance
Lindblad and Son Konsthandel, Halsingborg, Sweden.
British private collection.
Biddle and Webb Auctioneers, Birmingham, 2014.
Rogers Jones Auctioneers, Cardiff, 2026.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Privately loaned to and exhibited with the Famous Lord Hill Museum during 2026.
Dimensions
Canvas height: 75.5 cm or 29.72 inches
Canvas width: 49.5 cm or 19.49 inches
Framed height: 89.5 cm or 35.24 inches
Framed width: 64 cm or 25.20 inches
Framed depth: 4 cm or 1.57 inches
Condition Report
Presented in excellent display condition following professional conservation.
The canvas is stable and the painted surface retains vibrant colour and excellent definition. Minor age-related characteristics remain consistent with an original Victorian oil painting.
Please examine the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.
Delivery
Professionally packed and fully insured worldwide delivery is available. Please contact us for a delivery quotation.
Delivery shipping information
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD ship worldwide, using fully insured and online tracked delivery services like DHL, DPD, Parcelforce or Fedex also the British Shop. We offer Free national Delivery to England mainland, Wales mainland & Scottish lowland mainland areas only.
We offer Free UK mainland delivery only, international shipping to USA, Canada, Europe. All other countries rest of the world please get in touch for a shipping quote.
Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art & Antique pieces which we sell.
We bespoke pack & wrap extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in great as described condition.
For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items which can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approximate. 2-5 working days for the United Kingdom mainland & International delivery between 5-14 working days.
Returns Policy
We offer a 14-day money-back refund policy
(excluding the cost of Postage & Packaging costs & any duties, taxes customs charges paid on buyers behalf or buy the buyer direct ).
CONTACT US:
Please feel free to call us.
We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.
Tel: 07494763382
Outside the UK:
Phone or text: 0044 7494763382
PAYMENT:
Our primary payment method is by (BACS) & International bank wire transfer, we can email you an invoice with our banking details upon request. We no longer accept any Online Card or in person card payments due to payment providers charging us and not returning the processing transaction fee even if an order is fraudulent, cancelled or returned. All Item(s) will need to be settled by bank transfer only. We will email you a proforma invoice with our bank details.
Customs Payment & Brexit
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis which means that the International buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes & customs clearance charges and any other customs charges which may be necessary to release an order from international customs.
Following the UK leaving the EU on 1st January 2021 (BREXIT) there have been some changes to customs & duty charges for EU customers. Tax and import duty varies from country to country so we recommend you check with your local tax office to see if any fees will be payable.
If the customer refuses to pay any duty and customs charges and the parcel is returned to sender all shipping charges will be deducted from any refund.
Internal Reference: CAK-SK-0499
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1225981
Dateline of this antique is 19th Century
Height is 89cm (35.0inches)Width is 64cm (25.2inches)Depth is 4cm (1.6inches)
Thank you.
Your comment has been sent to Sellingantiques.