Lady in Silver Point

This eighteenth century profile shows an unnamed lady in a crossover dress with short sleeves and a belted waist, her hair swept back with loose curls framing her face. The portrait is drawn in silver point with a touch of watercolour on card.

Although unsigned, comparison with similar works suggests that the artist is Swiss-born Johann Jakob Müller (1762-1817). He initially worked in red chalk but later progressed to silver point working, mostly in Germany.

The portrait is set with flat glass in a narrow gilt wood frame. The gilding on the frame is flaky with losses.