An Unknown Lady in a Pale Blue Dress
John Smart I (Norwich 1741 – London 1811)
Category
Art / Miniatures
Date
1776
Materials
Watercolour on ivory, gold
Measurements
50 mm (H)40 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246506
Summary
Portrait miniature, watercolour on ivory, An Unknown Lady in a Pale Blue Dress by John Smart I (Norwich 1741 – London 1811). 1776. Oval. Head and shoulders portrait of a young woman, head turned to the left, gazing to the left, wearing a pale blue dress trimmed with fur and a white head-dress falling behind the shoulders. Brown eyes, auburn hair, pink complexion. Plain grey background. Signed and dated 'J.S.1776'.
Provenance
Date of acquisition not recorded, but probably originally at 16 Charles Street, Mayfair, Mrs Greville's London home, and bequeathed by Margaret McEwan, The Hon. Mrs Ronald Greville (1863-1942) with Polesden Lacey, to the National Trust, in memory of her father, William McEwan (1827-1913) in 1942. This item found on the probate inventory record for Charles Street chattels at Polesden Lacey, miniatures and objects in the safe, page 44.
Marks and inscriptions
J.S.1776 (signed and dated)
Makers and roles
John Smart I (Norwich 1741 – London 1811), miniaturist
