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Non UK callers :
+44 7765856171
Baby Oil Portrait Studio Of Mary Beale C1670
1 of 6
Rare Late 17thc ( 1660-80 ) Oil Portrait of a Baby holding a coral teether.
ABOUT THE ARTIST ( Studio of Mary Beale )
Mary Beale (née Cradock late March 1633 – 8 October 1699) was one of the most successful professional female Baroque-era portrait painters of the late 17th century due to her perseverance of her business.
Praised by Richard Gibson and court painter Peter Lely, she is considered as successful as Joan Carlile.
Joan Carlile was also an English portrait painter, who was one of the first women to practise painting professionally. Mary Beale managed to be the financial provider for her family through her professional portrait business.
Mary Beale stood apart from other women due to her outspokenness and successful business that allowed her to be the breadwinner of the family.
Portraits of babies from the 17th & 18th centuries are quite rare, and obviously desirable for their charm and appeal.
This delightful portrait of a round-cheeked, blue-eyed infant is posed using the conventions established for formal European court portraiture, and as found in other early portraits of royal or aristocratic infants.
The child is depicted full-length, sitting with a highly formalised velvet curtain drape in the background. As with other royal and noble portraits, the baby is shown propped up as if on a chair of state, and seemingly possessing the self-control and formal bearing normally found in portraiture of adults at court.
The absence of a family armorial, combined with a lack of knowledge as to the portrait’s original provenance, make the identification the child problematic.
However the scale and richness of composition, with the baby dressed in the finest and most expensive white satin dress trimmed with lace and holding an expensive hand crafted coral teether,suggests that at the very least, this is a child from an wealthy family.
The prominence of the coral teether in the picture reflects the traditional belief that coral has magical protective properties. It was thought that coral could ward off illnesses and evil spirits. Coral was also hard, cool and clean, making it ideal as a material for the teething infant.
In fact, the coral’s rich colour was thought to reflect the appearance of physical well-being and if the coral began to change colour it was a harbinger of illness.
The baby in this portrait is wearing pink ribbons, it is interesting to note that the colours pink and blue were not associated with the gender of children until the 20th century.
CONDITION
The painting has been re-lined to ensure good condition into the future
Presented in a good 18th century carved wood frame.
MEASUREMENTS (Including Frame)
Height 37 Inches
Width 32 Inches
DATELINE
This exceptionally rare example is estimated to be late 17th century dating around 1660-80 )
DELIVERY
UK Courier ( 7-10 Days ) By Fine Art Courier £80
Worldwide : EU & USA £350
SEE EXAMPLE
BLUE Drapes Studio Of Mary Beale
Victoria & Albert Museum Collection
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: 07765 856171
JUST REDUCED From £6250 to ££4950
Ref: 0675
SellerMansion House Antiques & Fine Art
View all stock from
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
Private dealer
By appointment only
East Midlands
Leicestershire
Tel : 07765856171
Non UK callers : +44 7765856171
ABOUT THE ARTIST ( Studio of Mary Beale )
Mary Beale (née Cradock late March 1633 – 8 October 1699) was one of the most successful professional female Baroque-era portrait painters of the late 17th century due to her perseverance of her business.
Praised by Richard Gibson and court painter Peter Lely, she is considered as successful as Joan Carlile.
Joan Carlile was also an English portrait painter, who was one of the first women to practise painting professionally. Mary Beale managed to be the financial provider for her family through her professional portrait business.
Mary Beale stood apart from other women due to her outspokenness and successful business that allowed her to be the breadwinner of the family.
Portraits of babies from the 17th & 18th centuries are quite rare, and obviously desirable for their charm and appeal.
This delightful portrait of a round-cheeked, blue-eyed infant is posed using the conventions established for formal European court portraiture, and as found in other early portraits of royal or aristocratic infants.
The child is depicted full-length, sitting with a highly formalised velvet curtain drape in the background. As with other royal and noble portraits, the baby is shown propped up as if on a chair of state, and seemingly possessing the self-control and formal bearing normally found in portraiture of adults at court.
The absence of a family armorial, combined with a lack of knowledge as to the portrait’s original provenance, make the identification the child problematic.
However the scale and richness of composition, with the baby dressed in the finest and most expensive white satin dress trimmed with lace and holding an expensive hand crafted coral teether,suggests that at the very least, this is a child from an wealthy family.
The prominence of the coral teether in the picture reflects the traditional belief that coral has magical protective properties. It was thought that coral could ward off illnesses and evil spirits. Coral was also hard, cool and clean, making it ideal as a material for the teething infant.
In fact, the coral’s rich colour was thought to reflect the appearance of physical well-being and if the coral began to change colour it was a harbinger of illness.
The baby in this portrait is wearing pink ribbons, it is interesting to note that the colours pink and blue were not associated with the gender of children until the 20th century.
CONDITION
The painting has been re-lined to ensure good condition into the future
Presented in a good 18th century carved wood frame.
MEASUREMENTS (Including Frame)
Height 37 Inches
Width 32 Inches
DATELINE
This exceptionally rare example is estimated to be late 17th century dating around 1660-80 )
DELIVERY
UK Courier ( 7-10 Days ) By Fine Art Courier £80
Worldwide : EU & USA £350
SEE EXAMPLE
BLUE Drapes Studio Of Mary Beale
Victoria & Albert Museum Collection
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES: 07765 856171
JUST REDUCED From £6250 to ££4950
Ref: 0675
Price
The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 3/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Delivery UK By Man & Van £80 / Worldwide EU & USA £350
DimensionsFrame Size : Height 37 Ins x Width 32 Ins
Category Antique Pictures / Engravings / Art
> Antique Oil Paintings
Date 1670-80
Late 17th Century Antiques Material Oil Painting on Canvas
Origin English
Condition Very Good Order For Age / Original 17th Frame / Ready To Hang
Item code as153a1555 / 0675
Status For Sale
£4950.00 
$6518.16
€5862.29
$6518.16
€5862.29
Conversion rates as of 3/APR/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Delivery UK By Man & Van £80 / Worldwide EU & USA £350
Shipping information
Confirmation of delivery is provided by email which includes a courier tracking number and date of posting or collection.
Shipping costs are charged based on the particular service used [ either next day express or economy ] and Size / Weight of item.
Delivery by private courier within the UK Mainland will be used for very large paintings and is charged at a flat rate of £80 for paintings only [ allow 7-14 days delivery time ]
International Delivery Quotes Worldwide are available on request by providing your full name and address together with a postal / area code and a contact number.
Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt if the item is found to have been misdescribed and the purchaser may be liable for the return costs subject to reasons for return.
Returns authorisation should be requested by sending an e-mail before posting.
Once we receive the item in good order as supplied not withstanding notified transit damage, we will return payment using the same payment method.
Shipping costs are charged based on the particular service used [ either next day express or economy ] and Size / Weight of item.
Delivery by private courier within the UK Mainland will be used for very large paintings and is charged at a flat rate of £80 for paintings only [ allow 7-14 days delivery time ]
International Delivery Quotes Worldwide are available on request by providing your full name and address together with a postal / area code and a contact number.
Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt if the item is found to have been misdescribed and the purchaser may be liable for the return costs subject to reasons for return.
Returns authorisation should be requested by sending an e-mail before posting.
Once we receive the item in good order as supplied not withstanding notified transit damage, we will return payment using the same payment method.
Terms and conditions
Payment is required within 3 calendar days of the sale being agreed.International transfers are required within 5 days of point of sale.
If payment is not received within this time, Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art reserves the right to consider selling the item to another customer at its discretion [ unless a longer payment time has been pre-agreed ] and will provide written notice by email before voiding any existing sales agreement.
Payment is preferred by Bankers Transfer or alternatively you are welcome to make payment using Pay-Pal, by Debit / Credit Card or by posting a UK Sterling Cheque drawn on a UK Bank or Building Society [ note goods will only be released once the cheque payment is fully cleared / normally within 3 weekdays or 5 days should a weekend be included.
If payment is not received within this time, Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art reserves the right to consider selling the item to another customer at its discretion [ unless a longer payment time has been pre-agreed ] and will provide written notice by email before voiding any existing sales agreement.
Payment is preferred by Bankers Transfer or alternatively you are welcome to make payment using Pay-Pal, by Debit / Credit Card or by posting a UK Sterling Cheque drawn on a UK Bank or Building Society [ note goods will only be released once the cheque payment is fully cleared / normally within 3 weekdays or 5 days should a weekend be included.
View all stock from
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art
Private dealerBy appointment only
East Midlands
Leicestershire
Tel : 07765856171
Non UK callers : +44 7765856171
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Harvest scene oil painting, Arthur Walker Redgate
Old Sussex cottage, oil painting by Jose Weiss
Painting Joseph and and Potiphar's Wife
Oil Painting Pair by Henry Schouten "Flowers"
Oil Painting Pair by Thomas Spinks "North Wales"
Oil Painting Pair by Ebeneezer Colls "Pounding the channel"
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