Here’s another one of those outstanding Royal Victoria Gallery/Frith embellished silhouettes that I love so much! She has the same stunning quality of embellishment as the possibly pregnant lady with the bonnet that I’m also listing today. I suspect the two ladies are related….possibly sisters. This lovely young woman has her hair parted down the middle and pulled straight down over her ears, clasped close to her head by a hair pin or barrette with 4 long ringlets hanging below. Just like the other lady with ringlets that is also offered, the gold embellishment of one of the ringlets is painted directly onto the background paper as it falls below her chin. I am amazed at the detail of the hair braid as it winds around the comb holding the knot at the back of her head. The ribbon around her neck is held by a gold clasp just above her beautifully depicted lace collar. Her dress cuffs are the same beautiful lace. Frith so clearly painted in the gathered fabric running down the front of her bodice, the seam where her sleeve is set into the bodice, the folds in the fabric. Her hands are angelic and so well depicted to stand out from the black figure. Like the lady with a bonnet, this lady with ringlets holds a parasol. This lady’s dress is a bit shorter, showing us her ankles and the same flat, square-toed slippers worn by the lady with a bonnet—including the detail of where the slipper crosses the top of her foot. This lady is show standing on an interior carpet that has been colored with a watercolor wash. She is signed “Frith” and dated 1846. She is in a likely original, cushioned, highly figured maple frame with gilt liner. Framed size 13” x 15”. Make sure to check out #5800 for the other silhouette I think is related to this lady. They have the same Frith brother signature, are both dated 1846, are in matching frames, and Ms. Peyraud both them together.

This is another fabulous shade from the collection of Paula Peyraud. Paula Fentress Peyraud (1947-2008) was an avid collector from a young age. She was a reference librarian at the Chappaqua Public Library and her voracious love of reading prompted her to amass an important collection of books, manuscripts, autograph letters of 18th through the 20th century. As a lover of art and people, she also put together an important collection of paintings, silhouettes, drawings and prints. Luckily, this avid collector lived in her family’s substantial house which she filled with her collections—even to the point where she added on to the house for more room to collect. The works of art she collected were of high quality, from the best collections and mostly portraits. She obviously loved characters and the idea of collecting people. Her collection of silhouettes included the best known artists as well as some folk pieces. Luckily for us, Ms. Peyraud kept wonderful records of her collection purchases. All of Ms. Peyraud’s documentation will go to the buyer of all of her silhouettes.

#5801    Sold

Provenance: Paula Peyraud Collection; Christie’s New York, December 10, 1983, lot 310.

Please see the Silhouettist Bios page for more information about Royal Victoria Gallery & the Frith brothers.