Oil Painting, 'Mary Cruikshank (1769–1853, Wife of Isaac Cruikshank, Mother of George Cruikshank', British School, ca.1810-1820

Portrait of a woman, half length, her body towards the viewer, her head turned toward the viewer’s left, wearing a dark, empire-waisted dress with elbow-length sleeves over a pale silk-gauze chemise. Her hair worn high on the back of the head, with a jewelled pin and pearl earrings.

Bequeathed by Mrs George Cruikshank

Bequeathed by Mrs Eliza Cruikshank, 1891

This painting was part of a large bequest from Mrs Eliza Cruikshank, the wife of caricaturist and illustrator George Cruikshank, of his work [See Museum nos. 9350 to 10118]. The painting is a portrait of Eliza Cruikshank’s Mother-in-Law.

The sitter in this portrait is identified as Mary Cruikshank nee MacNaughton (1769–1853), the wife of leading late eighteenth century satirist Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811) and the mother of noted nineteenth century illustrator and caricaturist George Cruikshank (1792-1878).

Since its acquisition in 1891, no suggestion has been made as to a possible attribution.

Although the painter of this portrait is unknown, discussion with the V&A Textile and Fashion Department suggest that the sitter’s clothes and the style of hair date the painting to the early nineteenth century, not later than ca.1820. Fashionable dress was generally elaborate at this date and dark colours were not commonly worn except during periods of mourning. The dress in this portrait is therefore unusually plain and it is possible that the sitter is wearing black or dark brown as mourning dress. Isaac Cruikshank, husband of the sitter, died in 1811 and it is plausible that this portrait was painted around this date, while Mrs Cruikshank was in mourning for her husband. However, it is not possible more precisely date the painting on the basis of dress, as the fashions of this period persisted for a number of years.

The portrait is an accomplished painting. The style of painting, in particular the use of scattered white highlights in the modelling of the face, is similar in manner to that of renowned Regency portraitist Sir Thomas Lawrence PRA (1769-1830). It is possible that the portrait may be attributed to an as yet unidentified follower of Lawrence.

Mary Cruikshank (1769-1853) was the wife of of leading late 18th century satirist Isaac Cruikshank (1764-1811) and the mother of noted 19th century illustrator and caricaturist George Cruikshank (1792-1878). This accomplished portrait may possibly have been painted while the sitter was in mourning following the death of Isaac Cruikshanks in 1811. This would explain the depiction of Mary Cruikshank in clothing which would otherwise have been considered unfashionably plain and dark at the time.

366-1891