19th-Century Portrait Of A Lady With A Leda & The Swan Cameo Brooch

19th-Century Portrait Of A Lady With A Leda & The Swan Cameo BroochA charming mid 19th century portrait of a lady wearing a black dress with lace collar and cuffs. Shes also wearing a beautiful cameo brooch depicting Leda and the Swan along with a long gold chain. An inscription on the reverse refers to Mary Hothersall (1834 1905) who was born at around 6 oclock on the 20th of October 1834 but weve been unable to track down any information about her from the census. The portrait is housed within a later frame.

Bjulf was an interesting artist that trained in Dusseldorf and Paris

The seated woman appears to be sewing while the other stands behind her and looks outside

near Leamington

as perhaps this is a commentary on urban industrialisation

At some point within the last 20 years

stands alongside a fence - before a flock of sheep that graze in a field behind him

has used a broad brush to build up the oils and create texture in areas

Canvas is a little undulant and could be cleaned to restore its vibrancy

Frame with some light wear

the Victorians wore one on their left hand to signify their reluctance to marry

Medium: Oil on canvasOverall size: 27½” x 36½” / 73cm x 93cmYear of creation: 1885Provenance: FranceCondition: Very presentable

A charming early 20th-century oil painting depicting an old rustic barn with a cart and chickens