This is a breathtaking English portrait done in the Georgian times, and representing an aristocratic lady wearing a magnificent velvet dress and spectacular hat in the Renaissance style.

The piece is dated "1832" and signed "Mark Capper" at the back, also with the artist's initials at the front.

The Technique:

I believe the amazing finesse of the lady's features and of the costume details, the gray background surrounding the portrait and the extra contrast of the piece,
meant this artwork was specifically created for engraving.

The fact that the artist's initials are written next to "Del" on the left, which is traditional in engravings, also confirms this.

The engraver would, in his turn, after carving his metallic plate from this drawing, add his own initials on the right, with "Sculpt".

The engraving medium in this case would very likely have been steel.

The Portrait:

The lady has a charming face with blue or green eyes, chestnut hair and lovely ringlets. She has a discreet smile.

Her pose is definitely regal!

Interestingly she wears no necklace, though she has a brooch at the front of her hat, and what looks like a gold chain around her forehead, in typical Renaissance fashion.

Chances are this was the portrait of a famous English aristocrat of the time, though her name would only appear at the engraving stage.

Possibly a large portrait of her exists in a Museum like the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The reason being, often, the engraving of someone's portrait, meant a large painted representation of the person was already quite known, which triggered the demand for wider public distribution.

A piece of the highest artistic quality, ( I have to say I am stunned by it!) perfectly representative of the early 19th Century, that you will want to keep preciously and transmit to the future generations.

CONDITION:
In very good condition with some inevitable foxing.
No particular damage.

(Shadows in the pics only)

MEASUREMENTS:
Length: 8 1/2".
Width: 6 3/4".

(21 cm) by ( 17 cm)

Will be shipped "Expedited" from Paris (5-7 days) within several layers of cardboard, including insurance and signature at delivery.

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