Portrait Of A Lady And Her Daughter Circa 1830; Circle Of George Henry Harlow (1787-1819)

This exquisite double portrait of a mother and her child is a touching and intimate portrayal of a mother’s affection. Female beauty was much prized in the 19th Century. For the first time, large numbers of pictures were painted whose sole raison d’être was a depiction of such beauty; not so much in the form of specific portraiture, but more as a homage to feminine beauty in its own right and many artists worked in this genre.This portrait can be dated to c.1830 as the combination of sloping shoulders and the very large gathered sleeves that cover most of the arm (narrowing to a small cuff at the wrist) is quite distinctive of the day dresses of the 1830s. During this period the pleated panels of fabric that trim the gown around the bust and shoulders, and the method of gathering fullness in the large sleeves was popular. Up to 1836 the waist was accentuated with a round waistband - as in the present portrait – and then it was replaced with a pointed bodice (and the sleeves were a little smaller).

The work shows all the vigour and style of George Henry Harlow; the clear fresh palette, the bright eyes, the beautiful rendering. The intimacy and the tenderness of this portrait is utterly charming and evidence that the painter knew how to get to the heart and soul of his subjects.Born and raised in London, George Henry Harlow entered Thomas Lawrence's studio in 1803 where he was much influenced by Lawrence’s style and use of colour. Lawrence considered him the most promising “of all our painters”. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1804 up to 1818. Harlow had great success with portraits and theatrical subjects. His portraits of ladies were always graceful and pleasing and he worked with industry and enthusiasm. He is said to have possessed a power of rapid observation. In 1818 he travelled to Italy to study the Old Masters. At Rome his artistic progress was remarkable and he was fêted and flattered in every direction. Canova was especially attracted by him and obtained him an introduction to the pope. He was elected an Academician of Merit in the Accademia di San Luca and was invited to deposit his portrait in the Gallery of Self Portraits at the Uffizi. On his return to England he died aged just 31 in 1819 from a throat infection.

Measurements: Height 115cm, Width 95cm framed (Height 45.25”, Width 37.25” framed)