English school; first third of the 19th century.

English school; first third of the 19th century.
‘Portrait of a lady.
Oil on canvas. Re-coloured.
It presents repainting, losses and jumps in the painting.
Measurements: 76 x 63,5 cm; 88 x 75,5 cm (frame).
An opening situated in the right zone of the scene, lets in the faint light of the moon that rests on the protagonist of the scene in a realistic way, as it partially illuminates her. The young woman in the centre of the scene is notable for the sobriety of her gesture, hairstyle and clothing. The simplicity of the latter elements, together with the appreciable nocturnality, reveal an intimate portrait in which the artist allows the viewer to enter into the young woman's private life.
Aesthetically, this work is close to the work of Sir Thomas Lawrence (Bristol, 1769 - London, 1830) who was, after the death of Joshua Reynolds in 1792, the most important portraitist in Britain. His early training took place in Bath, where he learned the technique of pastel from William Hoare and the correct handling of oils from Thomas Barker. In 1787 he moved to London, where he exhibited his first works at the Royal Academy.