A beautiful young girl, not more than perhaps 11 or 12, this painting is truly spectacular. A gown befitting her blossoming into a young lady, the features of a child remain along with her 'unaffected child' facial expression - as if she only reluctantly leaves a childhood behind. I love this painting! It captures that slightly exciting, slightly mournful transformation, doesn't it. The painting is pristine! I took her out to clean the convex cover glass and found her to be so beautifully preserved, as if her artist just visited last week. But she is a fashion moment in history, 1830-40, about the time England's Queen Victoria claimed her crown (c.1837). Fine detail in her gown and sleeves, and in the jewelry at her wrist - a fabulous bracelet.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The only aspect of this one that belies its nearly 200 years is the silk velvet covered wooden mount of the frame, and you see it has lost some of the nap and color. Some would carefully disassemble the beautiful appliqués from the wood, and carefully replace the old fabric. I'm not one of those. I think authenticity of this museum piece is part of her substantial charm. Large painting, no flaws. Also no signature, and no ID came with her. "From the estate of a gentleman" doesn't tell us much. Her face, however, tells us of a passage in time, 190 or so years ago. Fabulous!
