Reading with Mama

It is the wonderful costume detailing that makes this silhouette study of a Regency mother with her young son so appealing. Seated at her ease, the mother wears a close-fitting lace cap and an elegant dress with a ruff collar and buttons running down the front, together with delicate laced slipperettes. Her son wears a skeleton suit, the high-waisted striped trousers attached to his jacket with buttons.

Showing an unusual floral carpet, the silhouette is painted on card in a watercolour wash. It is unsigned and the artist remains unknown. The silhouette is clean though there is a repaired diagonal tear running from the edge into the boy’s trousers and a slight bruise to the unpainted area towards the top. It is presented in a handsome flat profile bird’s eye maple veneer frame with a gilt slip (small loss to the veneer on one corner and with some gapping to the joints). Attached to the backing board is a clipping from Country Life (30 Sept. 1965) showing the silhouette alongside a brief letter in praise of the silhouette from its then owner.