19th Century Portrait of a Lady, Circle of James Godsell Middleton (1805-1874)

Beautiful half-length portrait of a lady c.1860. The sitter is elegantly dressed in a white satin off the shoulder dress, exquisitely rendered with the impasto technique, and a small flower corsage. During this period hair was worn parted in the middle and smoothed or waved over the ears, then braided or "turned up" and pinned into a roll or low bun at the back of the neck. The lady is standing before a sofa in an interior and a country landscape is just visible through the open window.

None of the flashier aspects of accoutrements such as jewellery were necessary; instead the artist had the luxury to concentrate solely on the sitter’s beauty and youthfulness. The result is an outstandingly striking portrait. There was a virtuoso in the art of conveying the texture of fabrics, to which he paid no less attention than to the facial features noted in the gleam in the eyes and the flush of colour through the cheeks. The style and type is in line with the fashionable English studios of the time due to the influence of the schools such as the Royal Academy. The fluid handling shows all the vigour and style of the English portrait with the clear fresh palette, the bright eyes and the beautiful rendering. Middleton painted various members of the British establishment and other distinguished society figures (see below).

Provenance: Private English collection (Yorkshire)

James Godsell Middleton (1805-1874) was a British artist well known in his day and a popular choice for aristocracy. Amongst others he depicted Napoleon III, Viscountess Beaconsfield, Countess of Blessington, 2nd Baron Carrington, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, Countess of Portarlington etc. His work is found in various museums around the world and the British Government’s art collection and various National Trust properties.

Middleton’s portrait of Charles William Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry sold in 2004 for $122,419 and is currently held at Mount Stewart, National Trust.

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