Of Gentle Demeanour

The artist of this portrait has successfully captured the experience of years and the compassionate nature of this gentle-looking lady. Her grey hair is loosely drawn back under a fetching cap trimmed with a confection of white lace and blue silk ribbon.

Oil on card, the portrait is signed on a contemporary label on the backing board – ‘Painted by H. Stubble / No. 6 Carrington Street / Mayfair, London / 1792’. It is set in the original giltwood frame with an inner beaded border. As often happens with these period oval frames, there is a crack at 5 o’clock though the frame remains perfectly stable. It has also been re-gilded at some stage.

Henry Stubble acted as an assistant to the miniature painter William Wood. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1785 and 1791. He was also a personal friend of Richard Cosway and his wife.