Not currently on display at the V&A

Unknown Woman and Two Children

Oil Painting
1700-1750 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The painting shows a woman and two young children seated in a panelled room with red drapes and a turkey carpet. The woman wears a pink wrapping gown with white sleeve frills, lining and modesty piece at the neck. The gown does not appear to be fastened and is probably being worn as a nursing garment.
On the woman's lap is an undressed baby partly covered by white fabric and wearing a white cap with a red ribbon. By the woman's left side is a straw-work layette basket on a table. She holds out a teething coral to a young child who is seated in an enclosed wooden chair on wheels. The child is wearing a white gown trimmed with lace.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleUnknown Woman and Two Children
Materials and techniques
Oil on canvas
Brief description
Painting of a woman and two children, oil colour on canvas, Circle of Gawen Hamilton (attrib); UK, 1700-50
Physical description
The painting shows a woman and two young children seated in a panelled room with red drapes and a turkey carpet. The woman wears a pink wrapping gown with white sleeve frills, lining and modesty piece at the neck: the gown does not appear to be fastened and is probably being worn as a nursing garment. On the woman's lap, held within her left arm, is an undressed baby partly covered by white fabric (probably discarded clothing), and wearing a white cap with a red ribbon. By the woman's left side is a straw-work layette basket on a table. With her right hand she holds out a teething coral on a black ribbon to a young child on her right, who is seated in an enclosed wooden chair on wheels, and is wearing a white gown trimmed with lace and a white cap trimmed with black ribbon.
The frame is made of gessoed and gilded wood with a black-painted surround, probably 20th century.
Dimensions
  • Canvas height: 46.3cm
  • Canvas width: 41.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
Sir Peter Lely [sic] (On top stretcher)
Object history
Bought at auction: Sale of Paintings at Phillips, Blenheim Street, London, 06/06/1989 Lot 22
Subjects depicted
Summary
The painting shows a woman and two young children seated in a panelled room with red drapes and a turkey carpet. The woman wears a pink wrapping gown with white sleeve frills, lining and modesty piece at the neck. The gown does not appear to be fastened and is probably being worn as a nursing garment.
On the woman's lap is an undressed baby partly covered by white fabric and wearing a white cap with a red ribbon. By the woman's left side is a straw-work layette basket on a table. She holds out a teething coral to a young child who is seated in an enclosed wooden chair on wheels. The child is wearing a white gown trimmed with lace.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.102-1989

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Record createdOctober 17, 2005
Record URL
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