How do I identify an 18th century portrait?

Examine the sitter's costume, hairstyle, and painting materials, which typically align with Georgian fashions such as silk gowns, powdered hair, and canvas supports. Signatures, inscriptions on the verso, and period framing materials like gilt wood provide further evidence to support the date.

What is the difference between an oil and a miniature?

Oil paintings are executed on stretched canvas with substantial pigment, allowing for larger formats and textured brushwork depicting elaborate dresses and settings. Miniatures are painted on delicate surfaces like vellum or paper on a much smaller scale, intended for close inspection and intimate possession.

How should I display a portrait at home?

Hang oil paintings and framed engravings away from direct sunlight and steady moisture to protect the canvas, vellum, and gilt wood frames from degradation. Ensure wall fixings are secure and appropriate for the weight of the wooden frame to safely support the artwork over time.

Are these portraits of real historical people?

Many portraits on this page depict named individuals, such as Hannah Hass or Mrs. Elizabeth Draper, recorded by contemporary artists of the era. Other works portray anonymous sitters or ladies of the period whose identities have been lost, though their attire remains historically accurate.