Yellow Ribbon Bow

John Church Dempsey (1802/3-1877) was a journeyman artist painting bust- and full-length silhouettes and well-observed watercolour portraits of street characters.  Whilst his watercolours are mostly signed, his silhouettes are less frequently so but can be recognised by the use of gilding in the hair and small touches of colour in the costume of his sitters. Although faded a little, this lady’s Babet cap is flecked with red and is trimmed with a yellow ribbon bow.

Painted on card, the silhouette is set in what is probably the original papier-mâché frame with an engine-turned brass surround and a small floral hanger.