A charming portrait of a pretty young girl by a member of the Circle of Robert Byng.
The basket of flowers together also represent the beauty and fleeting quality of youth.
The girl wears a Classical robe, to her right a draped curtain and to her left the landscape of Arcadia...the mythical world so fashionable at the time.
This artist, strongly influenced by Byng's noted portraits of children, lacks the technical sophistication of his master, especially in the stylised treatment of the drapery.
However there is a strong sense of a painterly delight in using the medium - especially in some of the impasto in the drapery which contrasts pleasingly with the gently painted face.
The painting has a strong appeal and is an endearing image of an attractive young girl.
Robert Byng (1666 - 1720) was born in Wiltshire, but is buried in Oxford where he died in 1720, having lived there since before 1714.
He was a pupil of,and very strongly influenced by, Sir Godfrey Kneller (Principal Painter to the King and the most distinguished Baroque portraitist in England).
Byng's earliest dated portraits are c.1697; one of his younger brothers, Edward, was drapery painter to Kneller and his principal assistant.
SIZE: 44 x 33.5 inches inc. frame
PROVENANCE: a Private London Collection.
Verso: an old label of Francis Draper of Albany Street, London. 'Restorer and Preserver of Paintings in London and the Country'. By appointment to his Majesty the King; then follows a list of noted clients including the National Portrait Gallery and members of the Royal Family.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Sold....portrait of a Young Girl C.1700; Circle of Robert Byng
