Portrait of an Unknown Young Woman

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Government Art Collection

The head of a young woman with soft brown curls is seen in profile. Her green eyes contrast with her flushed pink cheeks. The neckline of her white dress can just be seen. The woman bears a strong resemblance to portraits of Emma, Lady Hamilton, a social celebrity, muse of the artist George Romney (1734-1802) and the mistress of Lord Nelson.

This portrait was purchased by the Ministry of Works (a Government department formerly responsible for the Government Art Collection) as a work by Romney depicting Lady Hamilton. It had been sold from the collection of Sir Bruce Ingram, collector of art and former managing editor of the 'Illustrated London News'. However, in 1993 David A. Cross, author of 'A Striking Likeness: The Life of George Romney' (published 2000), questioned the attribution of the painting.

People

unknown woman

Places

Subjects

female portrait, British School C18th, woman

Materials & Techniques

linen, oil, oil painting, oval

Artist

British 18th century unknown

Title

Portrait of an Unknown Young Woman

Date

Medium

Oil on linen (oval)

Dimensions

height: 28.00 cm, width: 22.70 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Sir Bruce Ingram, 1963

Provenance

Collection of journalist and newspaper editor Sir Bruce Stirling Ingram (1877-1963); from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in 1963

GAC number

1443