Portrait of a Lady in a Green Silk Dress C.1710; Circle of Michael Dahl (1657-1743), Antique Oil on Canvas Painting

The portrait genre was valued particularly highly in English society. Neither landscapes nor allegorical pictures were ever priced so highly at exhibitions and in the trade as depictions of people, from the highest aristocracy to scholars, writers, poets and statesmen. Michael Dahl was a famous and fashionable portraitist who by 1700 became the most successful painter in England, second only to Godfrey Kneller.

By the late 1600s, England was actively trading with Asia, as this portrait reveals. In this striking portrait the sitter wears a loose-fitting dress called an open robe that was introduced from Asia in the 1670s during the reign of King Charles II. The style became the fashion choice for informal portraiture for more than a hundred years.

Characteristic of Dahl, especially in the 1690s and early 1700s, is his interesting use of colour, sometimes in unexpected shades - there are many examples of green drapery in Dahl’s work. Here, the fresh, pale emerald green of the gown provides a strong decorative contrast with her crimson wrap. The lively handling of the drapery and the colour combination are used with great effect.

Michael Dahl (1659-1743) was born in Stockholm and was a painter of exceptional talent. He studied with David Ehrenstrahl, the leading Swedish portrait painter of his day, before embarking on a tour of Europe in 1682 that included London, Paris and Rome. He first visited London and it is thought that he spent some time in Kneller's studio. A number of Dahl’s compatriots saw England as being relatively stable and prosperous compared to many European countries, and more welcoming than France, for example, of the Lutheran faith then prevalent in Sweden. In 1698 he was offered the position of painter to the court of the Swedish King, Charles XII, but preferred to stay and settle permanently in London. There, he established an independent studio and by 1700 became the most successful painter in England, second only to Godfrey Kneller. His Scandinavian origins ensured patronage from Prince George of Denmark, and Queen Anne and members of the English court and he worked for the Duke of Somerset painting the Petworth 'Beauties' in the late 1690s. in 1712 he charged £50 for a full length. He died in London in 1743 leaving two daughters (his only son, also a painter, died about three years earlier).

Provenance: Private collection in Germany for the last 30 years (originally purchased in France)

Measurements: Height 102cm, Width 89cm framed (Height 40”, Width 35” framed)

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a distinct advantage: we sift through thousands of works to provide a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works