A fine late 18th-century portrait of a lady wearing a beautiful dress with a lace collar.

Her outfit is a little tricky to decipher but she’s probably wearing a caraco, which is a small close-fitting jacket, as these were popular during the 1780s. They were often worn with a skirt in a contrasting colour.

Towards the end of the 18th-century, hairstyles were becoming a little quieter than they had been previously. Simple coiffures, often worn with a hat, replaced the fantastical head-dresses of the 1770s.

We love her eyes, which are abundant with life, and her almost whimsical expression.

The portrait is presented in an oval and housed within a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 29½” x 34” / 75cm x 87cm
Year of creation: c. 1790
Provenance: Denmark
Condition: Very presentable overall. Areas of craquelure but the paint is stable following a previous restoration. Well looked after.