THOMAS BARDWELL (1704 - 1767) -PORTRAIT OF A LADY IN A CHARTREUSE SILK DRESS

Fine 18th century English portrait of a lady in a chartreuse silk dress trimmed with lace attributed to Thomas Bardwell (1704-1767).

The elegant sitter is seated three-quarter-length, and she shimmers in the highly fashionable brightly coloured silk clothing of the period. Her silk dress is full skirted with a low neckline and she wears this over a lace trimmed chemise which reveals her décolletage.

Holding a book in one hand, she leans upon on a marble topped table and gazes away from the viewer as if lost in thought, with the most sensitive of expressions. The sun sets on an extensive landscape behind her, as a single pearl drop earring catches the light.

The 18th century is often considered the period when the novel truly established itself as a major literary genre. Authors like Daniel Defoe, Samuel Richardson, Henry Feilding and Laurence Sterne were instrumental in shaping the novel's development, experimenting with new narrative techniques and exploring diverse themes. There was a revolution in reading, as the intensive and repeated reading of a limited number of books was replaced by more extensive reading habits, with a large number of books being devoured just once.

Thomas Bardwell (1704-1767) Thomas Bardwell was a painter and writer. He began his career as a painter of decorative panels. In around 1738 his brother Robert Bardwell took over the family decorative painting business, which was based at Bungay, Suffolk; by then Bardwell was producing conversation pieces and portraits. In the 1740s and 1750s Bardwell visited London and painted several portraits there. In 1752 and 1753 he journeyed through Yorkshire to Scotland, carrying out a large number of commissions. From 1759 Bardwell was based in Norwich, where he established a thriving practice.

This fine painting is in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang in high quality gilded frame

Higher resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available.

Canvas: 50” x 40" / 127m x 102cm. Framed:48" x 58" / 148cm x 122cm.

POA