Head of Beatrice Cenci

Museum number

A197

Object

Head of Beatrice Cenci

Description

Female Figure after Beatrice Cenci. Rectangular.The sitter appears against a dark background, facing left looking towards the viewer over her shoulder, She wears a white costume of generalised type and loose turban.This example, very close in style to a group of recorded works traditionally attributed to Charles Foot Taylor (Victoria Art Gallery, Bath and Private Collection), is a style quite distinct from the convential portrait miniatures by Taylor and seems likely to be the work of Charlotte.Copies of this subject from a 17th century Italian source are extrmely common in this period. The original image (itself known in numerous versions) was at the time thought to be by guido Reni (1575-1642) an artist much revered by the Victorians. They are thought to be based on a tradition of turbanned sibyls deriving from Guido and his studio, and possibly by Elisabetta Sirani (1638-1665). This miniature (if it can be described as such) is not of a high quality and was probably made for pupils to copy from.Unframed.

Materials

Watercolour

On display?

No

Further description

Simple name

Watercolour

Subject

Portrait

Dimensions

regular: 16.1cm (h) x 19.2cm (w)