Powdered Curls

The 1780s, when this portrait was painted, was a lucrative decade for George Engleheart. His London studio was well established and commissions were rising year on year. His style was also developing to match his workload and he now worked with more confidence on larger pieces of ivory. This lady’s portrait is typical of that period both in terms of the artist’s technique and in the sitter’s fashion.

With her powdered curls tumbling over her shoulders and topped with a half-handkerchief, she wears a cross-over gown with a frill-edged collar and a ribbon necklace tied at the back. The portrait is set in a gold frame with a beautifully enamelled border in cornflower blue, white, gold and emerald green. The reverse side has an emerald green foiled glass surround and an aperture showing cream silk. There is some restoration to the inner enamel border on the left hand side and the glass surround is cracked at 7 o’clock.

Ivory Exemption Ref.: S41UTTLZ