Portrait of a Lady, British C.1770; Follower of Allan Ramsay (1713-1784)

Oil on canvas.

In this portrait of a lady picking a red rose, the symbol of love, the artist has depicted the sitter’s character and shows her engaging with the viewer. The latter half of the 18th century heralded a reinvention in the depiction of feminine beauty. This portrait was painted circa 1770 by an artist who was following Allan Ramsay and most notably his work at the later part of his career which is characterised by softer colours and French elegance. The silks of the dress are of the finest quality and the bodice is beautifully decorated with pearls. The treatment of the drapery is good and has an illuminous effect. Contained in an antique frame that is inscribed “Allan Ramsay 1713-1784” and contains several remnants of old wax stamps. Good quality and condition.

Measurements: Height 107cm, Width 87cm framed (Height 42”, Width 34” framed)

Provenance: UK private collection

Ramsay was born in Edinburgh. He attended the new Academy of St Luke in Edinburgh and in London at St Martin's Lane Academy. From there he travelled to Italy and worked from 1736 to 1738 at the French Academy in Rome. On his return he settled in London and immediately burst onto the scene. The difference in Ramsay’s work on his return was immediately noticeable to the commissioning public. His work was imbued with a soft palette and was more delicate and sophisticated and his portraits of women in particular gained an air of elegance which proved immediately popular. The commentator Alexander Gordon described him as ‘one of the first rate portrait painters in London’ as early as December 1738. By then, the young painter was already charging eight guineas a head, some three guineas more than Reynolds was to charge when he settled in London some fifteen years later. He was chosen to be the official court painter to King George III and during his prime period he had a virtual monopoly on court painting.

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