18th Century Portrait of a Woman

Oil on canvas

Original frame with losses

Circa 1760

This is an oil on canvas portrait of a young woman, depicted from the waist up. The subject is positioned against a dark, nondescript background, which emphasizes her facial features and attire. The woman is dressed in a deep blue garment with a white undergarment or chemise visible at the neckline. Her dark hair is pulled back, revealing a serene expression on her face, characterized by soft, delicate features and a slight smile.

The portrait is framed in an ornate, gilded frame that shows signs of age and wear, with some areas where the gold leaf has chipped away, particularly at the corners. The frame is adorned with intricate, baroque-style embellishments, including scrollwork and floral motifs. Despite the wear on the frame, the painting itself appears to have been well-preserved, though the dark background and the muted colours of the subject’s clothing suggest some fading over time.

This portrait dates from around 1760, reflecting the style and dress of that period. The simplicity of the composition, combined with the rich details of the frame, indicates that this was likely a personal or family portrait intended for private display.