작품 상세

*Opie (John, 1761-1807). Portrait of Miss Reynolds as Red Riding Hood, oil on millboard, head and shoulders portrait of a young girl with short brown hair wearing a red cloak, recent light cleaning and revarnishing, 52 x 41.5cm (20.5 x 16.25ins), verso with early manuscript label 'Portrait by Opie of Miss Reynolds Miniature Paintress. Property of W. Walker Esq. 64 Margaret St. Cavendish Sq.' and William Walker's printed address label, framed, Jack Fenning Collection typed label on reverse Exhibited: Royal Academy, Winter Exhibition, 1875, No. 234; Grosvenor Gallery, 1888-1889; Grafton Galleries, 'Fair Children', 1895. Renowned miniaturist Elizabeth Reynolds (1800-1876) was the daughter of painter and engraver Samuel William Reynolds, and became the wife of Scottish engraver William Walker. She exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1818 and 1850, was appointed miniature painter to William IV in 1830, and executed portraits of five Prime Ministers. Elizabeth evinced an early love of the arts, but it wasn't until this portrait was painted by Opie that her talent became apparent. She and her parents encountered John Opie at the residence of their mutual friend Samuel Whitbread in Bedfordshire; the painter invited Elizabeth to sit for him and the result was this portrait. When it was finished Elizabeth "then not more than eight years of age, commenced, of her own accord, an engraving from it, and completed it with scarcely any assistance; and so extremely well was the work executed that it would not have been unworthy the experienced artist. - This was Miss Reynold's first essay" ('The Ladies' Monthly Museum', August 1825). As a result of this her father determined on teaching her the art of engraving, and she became a valuable assistant to him. However, it became obvious before too long that her talents were wasted as a mere copyist, so her father encouraged her to became a portrait painter. (1)