Portrait of a Lady in a Blue Dress C.1740; Circle of Joseph Highmore (1692-1780)

This picture was painted in England around 1740 and can be dated according to the hairstyle, the wide billowing sleeves with lace sleeve ruffles, the low neckline, and the large bow at the centre of the chest – this was extremely fashionable. The gown may be the informal style known as morning gown. This type of elegant portrait was popular in 18th century Britain. The reverse contains a label for picture frame dealer/restorer HP Spiller, at 37 Beak St, London (who operated from 1901 to at least 1963).

The portrait is presented in a good quality and condition antique gilded frame.

Joseph Highmore initially trained as a lawyer, and he was Governor of the Foundling Hospital, but he is best known as a highly successful portrait painter of the Georgian middle class. He was educated at merchant Taylors' School. His father failed to get him started as a painter as pupil of his uncle, Thomas, who had been appointed Sergeant Painter to Queen Anne in 1702, and he was articled to an attorney in 1707. In 1713 he enrolled in Kneller's Academy of Painting on Great Queen Street, and, after his articles expired, set himself up in 1715 as a portrait painter in the City. Highmore was a founding member of the Saint Martin's Land Academy in 1720. Highmore seems to have moved in learned and literary rather than artistic circles. He was himself a writer, chiefly in his retirement. He died in Canterbury in 1780, at the age of eighty-seven.

Measurements: Height 93cm, Width 80cm framed (Height 36.5”, Width 31.5” framed)

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