Lady with Plumed Black Hat
English
A delicate young lady with a striking face is turnedtowards the observer of this miniature, her gaze directed to an undefined pointin the distance. She is wearing a vibrant navy blue suit with elegantly subduedgold ornaments; the ruffles of a white collar cascade over her neckline. Herhair is covered by a broad-brimmed black hat and a bow. Three imposing ostrichfeathers adorn this headgear, acting at the same time as a sort of counterpartto the magnificent head of curls which spill out from under her hat.
It is precisely this oppositionthat gives a great appeal to the picture. The strong colours of the eyes andlips form a delightful contrast to the admittedly warm but rather pale and softcomplexion of her face. The fragility of her body is contrast to the wild andvoluminous bulk of curls, which is continued in the vibrancy of the feathersand the ruffles of the collar. The radiant blue of the velvet fabric stands outparticularly from the white of the collar and the gold embroidery. Everythingin this portrait expresses tense anticipation, energy and yet a fine reticence– just simple elegance.
The former attribution to John Cox Dillman Engleheart,who was born only in 1782/84, is obviously wrong. The later attribution toJoseph Saunders cannot be substantiated either for reasons regarding thepainting technique. Emma Rutherford proposes attributing the work to JohnDonaldson.1
J. S. O.