This early 20th-century watercolour and gouache by British artist Reginald Pannett (1875-1924) depicts an Edwardian lady in a sumptuous black dress and white gloves.

Pannett was immersed in the heady world of theatre from an early age as his father, a draper, produced costumes. In 1911, census records also show the presence of a costumier lodging in the family home. As such, he applied his artistic talents towards sheet music design, producing decorative covers for various Edwardian shows including ‘Peggy’, ‘The Little Cherub’ and operetta ‘The Merry Widow’.

Here, we see an original design in watercolour, possibly for Franz Lehár’s ‘The Merry Widow’. It’s a charming piece of memorabilia, which provides insight into a talented artist relatively lost to time.

Signed in the upper right and housed within a later glazed frame.

Medium: Watercolour and gouache on silk
Overall size: 27½” x 23” / 70cm x 58cm
Year of creation: c. 1907
Condition: Spots of age-related discolouration. Frame with some light wear.