Finely painted in monochrome by Nathan Cooper Branwhite, this portrait has a wealth of detail and tonal depth. The sitter, Florence Upton, is wearing a dark dress with demi-gigot sleeves and lace cuffs and collar, a fringed shawl over her shoulders. It is though her jewellery, especially the heavy guard chain, and her ribbon-trimmed hat that draw the eye. The portrait is signed bottom right ‘Branwhite 1831’.*Florence was born in 1769 in Pucklechurch in Gloucestershire to Thomas and Jane Smyth. In 1799, aged 30, she married John Upton; they had one son. Florence died in Somerset at the age of 83.*The portrait is in fine condition and is set in a period maple frame with a gilt slip. The frame has a couple of old losses to the veneer on the corners.*The son of a Suffolk poet, Nathan Cooper Branwhite (1775-1867) specialised in small-scale portraiture. A member of the Bristol School of artists he exhibited portrait miniatures at the Royal Academy. He was also a stipp...