80/1981
Collection
Paintings, Prints and Drawings
Brief description
A young woman reading in an attic bedroom, watercolour on paper, signed and dated by Alice Squire, 1861, in a reproduction frame with a gilt sight edge manufactured by Sebastian D'Orsai Ltd in c.1982.
Title
Young woman reading in an attic bedroom
A Governess
A Governess
Object name
painting
watercolour painting
watercolour painting
Object number
80/1981
Production person
Alice Squire (artist)
Production date
1861 (painted)
Production place
London (painted)
Period
Victorian (1837-1901)
Material
watercolour
ink
pencil
paper
ink
pencil
paper
Technique
drawn
painted
painted
Physical description
Painting, watercolour on paper with pen and ink, over pencil, framed and glazed in a moulded wooden frame with some gilding. The painting is signed at the lower left hand corner 'Alice Squire / Sep' and inscribed 'Painted in 1861' in the lower margin.
Content description
This painting depicts a young woman in a mid-Victorian attic bedroom. She is shown sitting on a bed reading a book, with a cat curled up asleep on the bed. She is wearing a striped dress with a very full skirt, puffed sleeves and a row of buttons down the front of the bodice. The room, which is under the slope of the roof, is comfortably and neatly furnished.
In the foreground on the right hand side of the picture there is a small writing desk and a chair, both pushed up against the wall. A bonnet hanging hangs on the chair back, a book has been placed on the seat, together with some clothing, and an umbrella is propped up against the chair. On the desk there are books, letters, writing equipment and a candle. In the left foreground a hip bath and a wash stand, with basin, jug and towels, can be seen. There is a dormer window above, with a pot plant on the window ledge and some fronds of seaweed hanging in front. In the background, beyond the bed, there is a black marble fireplace. Various items, including a small glass vase of pink roses, a brown bottle, a book, and a small clock or pocket watch, have been placed on the mantelshelf.
The walls of the room are covered in a cream or yellow wallpaper with a pattern of sprigs of flowers. A number of framed pictures and a small crucifix are hanging on the walls. In front of the bed the floor boards are covered with a diaper pattered carpet.
In the foreground on the right hand side of the picture there is a small writing desk and a chair, both pushed up against the wall. A bonnet hanging hangs on the chair back, a book has been placed on the seat, together with some clothing, and an umbrella is propped up against the chair. On the desk there are books, letters, writing equipment and a candle. In the left foreground a hip bath and a wash stand, with basin, jug and towels, can be seen. There is a dormer window above, with a pot plant on the window ledge and some fronds of seaweed hanging in front. In the background, beyond the bed, there is a black marble fireplace. Various items, including a small glass vase of pink roses, a brown bottle, a book, and a small clock or pocket watch, have been placed on the mantelshelf.
The walls of the room are covered in a cream or yellow wallpaper with a pattern of sprigs of flowers. A number of framed pictures and a small crucifix are hanging on the walls. In front of the bed the floor boards are covered with a diaper pattered carpet.
Dimensions
Height: 14.2cm
Width: 20.5cm
Height: 28cm
Width: 35cm
Width: 20.5cm
Height: 28cm
Width: 35cm
Website keywords
floor treatments
furniture
ornaments
pictures
textiles
wall treatments
fireplaces
bedrooms
candle and rush lighting
writing equipment
reading
clocks
furniture
ornaments
pictures
textiles
wall treatments
fireplaces
bedrooms
candle and rush lighting
writing equipment
reading
clocks
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