Mid-19th-century English School Portrait of a Lady - Antique Oil Painting

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This fine mid-19th-century English school portrait depicts a lady wearing a black dress and white bonnet. She’s probably dressing according to the rules relating to mourning wear.

During the 19th century, widows were expected to adhere to a set of guidelines with regard to their attire. These were quite prescriptive and mourning began with a period of black - no jewellery, frills or colour. To dress otherwise was considered controversial. Over the years following a bereavement, widows could gradually introduce minor alterations until their final stage of mourning, known as ‘lesser mourning’. The white bonnet and cuffs indicate that this particular lady is in this final stage.

Following Prince Albert’s bereavement in 1861, Victorians adopted black more readily, akin to a fashion statement. But this portrait is earlier and dates to around 1850.

It’s a fine piece that’s housed within an impressive, and extensively decorated, scroll and foliate gilt frame. The reverse bears a storage label from Newcastle.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 36” x 41” / 92cm x 104cm

Year of creation: c. 1850

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.

Physical Dimensions

Height

104cm (40.94")

Width

92cm (36.22")

Depth

8cm (3.15")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA961086

Description

This fine mid-19th-century English school portrait depicts a lady wearing a black dress and white bonnet. She’s probably dressing according to the rules relating to mourning wear.

“

During the 19th century, widows were expected to adhere to a set of guidelines with regard to their attire.

Brave Fine Art

These were quite prescriptive and mourning began with a period of black - no jewellery, frills or colour. To dress otherwise was considered controversial. Over the years following a bereavement, widows could gradually introduce minor alterations until their final stage of mourning, known as ‘lesser mourning’. The white bonnet and cuffs indicate that this particular lady is in this final stage.

fig 1. Mid-19th-Century English School Portrait Of A Lady - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Mid-19th-century English School Portrait of a Lady - Antique Oil Painting

Following Prince Albert’s bereavement in 1861, Victorians adopted black more readily, akin to a fashion statement. But this portrait is earlier and dates to around 1850.

It’s a fine piece that’s housed within an impressive, and extensively decorated, scroll and foliate gilt frame. The reverse bears a storage label from Newcastle.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 36” x 41” / 92cm x 104cm

Year of creation: c. 1850

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Canvas relined. Frame with some light wear.