Antique Victorian 19th century enamel on porcelain mourning portrait

One of the most stunning portraits we have come across, this beautiful 19th century enamel on porcelain mourning portrait was painted by renowned 19th century photographer and miniature painter Arthur Debenham (1845 to 1936) circa 1860s to 1870s.

First beginning his career with his studio in Ryde, a seaside town in the Isle of Wight, Arthur Debenham soon gained fame for his skills in photography. Having trained as an artist at King’s College , London circa 1861-1862, he was able not only to take flattering and evocative photos of his clientele, but to copy and enlarge them as pictures in various mediums including crayons, watercolours and oils (I.W. Observer, 27 March 1869). He would be active from 1868 to 1936, a long and successful career spanning a transformative period of English history.

By 1871 Arthur Debenham had opened a photographic studio at 28 Union Street, Ryde, featuring “beautiful specimens of life-like portraits in porcelain, in all colours” (IW Times, 8 June 1871). This beautiful portrait is an excellent example of this medium, depicting a widow in her ‘widow’s weeds’. Her elegant gold jewellery and the lace details to her dress indicates both her high social status as well as the period of mourning she was in- typically, gold jewellery was worn after a year of deep mourning had passed and one was in ‘half-mourning’.

From the elegant stonework and the Mediterranean-esque views, it is likely that the original photograph was taken with a view in the background of Osborne House, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s residence at the Isle of Wight- for full description, please see listing on website.

Price marked at $4950 AUD.

Framed Measurements: 39.5cm width, 44.5cm length, 3.75cm depth.

Condition notes: Excellent antique condition, framed in shadow box of the period. Shadow box in excellent antique condition.