A beautiful early Victorian English school portrait of a lady holding a child. She’s wearing a white bonnet, black dress with gigot sleeves, and a crucifix on a long chain. This is a fine example of Victorian portraiture and captures the sitter in the prime of her life. Perhaps it was her first portrait following the birth of her child.

Previous owners have suggested that the sitter could be Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845) who was an important social reformer and philanthropist. Although it’s probably unlikely given Fry’s age in 1830 (when gigot sleeves were popular).

The portrait is housed within a splendid 19th-century scroll and foliate frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 32” x 36½” / 81cm x 93cm
Year of creation: c. 1830
Provenance: England
Condition: Fine craquelure. Canvas relined. Frame with some light age-related wear.