Powdered Curls

The softness of Shelley’s palette coupled with his strong facial draughtsmanship, as seen in this portrait, makes his work recognisable. His miniatures of ladies and children are particularly attractive. Dating to the late 1790s, this lady wears a traditional white cross-over gown and has clear blue eyes, rosebud lips and a youthful glow to her cheeks. Her abundant curls have been powdered and secured with a blue ribbon bandeau.

The portrait is presented in its original gold plated frame, the reverse glazed to show plaited brown hair.

Born in Stepney in 1754, Samuel was the third son of George and Susannah Shelley. He is said to have taught himself to draw and entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1774 curiously claiming to be just seventeen years of age. He was a prolific artist and exhibited widely between 1772 and 1804. His death in December 1808 after a short illness was announced in the London press without fanfare.

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