Richard Cosway R.A. (British, 1742-1821)
A Lady, wearing white dress with frilled trim to her décolleté, pearl pendant earring, her powdered hair dressed with a strand of pearls and worn à la conseilleur.
Gilt-metal frame.
Oval, 69mm (2 11/16in) high
Saleroom notices
- The present lot by Cosway is a variant of his miniature portraying Mary Frances 'Fanny' Swinburne (d.1828) that resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art (Acquisition no. 1941.553). The Cleveland Museum of Art's version was painted in c.1786, the same year in which Cosway painted Mary's parents, the travel writer, Henry Swinburne (17431803) and his wife, Martha. Past owners of the Cleveland miniature include Leo Schidlof (before 1930) and Edward B. Greene (1930-1941).
