Martin Archer Shee (Circle)portrait Of Lady In Ermine Stole British 19th Century Art Female Oil Paintingcirca 1845
Stourbridge, United Kingdom
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Dimensions
Wear Condition
Good
Material
Oil Paint
Style
Antique
Product Details
Description
This wonderful 19th century interior portrait oil painting is attributed to the circle of Martin Archer Shee. It is a half-length portrait of a seated lady in a black silk dress, ermine stole and superb floral bonnet. It is a super realistic depiction of different textures - fur, silk and her beautiful face and hair. She is also holding her glasses, suggesting she is an educated woman who likes to read. A really magnificent portrait. The fur of the white winter ermine or stoat, with its trademark black tail-tip can often be seen in portraits of royalty and aristocratic fashion from the medieval period onwards.
Provenance. Sussex estate.
Condition. Oil on canvas, image size is 36 inches by 27 inches and in good condition.
Frame. Housed in a superb gilt empire frame, 46 inches by 37 inches and in good condition.
Sir Martin Archer Shee PRA (23 December 1769 – 13 August 1850) was an Irish portrait painter and president of the Royal Academy. He was born in Dublin, of an old Irish Roman Catholic family, the son of Martin Shee, a merchant, who regarded the profession of a painter as an unsuitable occupation for a descendant of the Shees. His son Martin nevertheless studied art in the Royal Dublin Society and came to London. There, in 1788, he was introduced by Edmund Burke to Joshua Reynolds, on whose advice he studied in the schools of the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1789 he exhibited his first two pictures, the "Head of an Old Man" and "Portrait of a Gentleman." Over the next ten years he steadily increased in practice. He was chosen an associate of the Royal Academy in 1798, in 1789 he married Mary, eldest daughter of James Power of Youghal, and in 1800 he was elected a Royal Academician. He moved to George Romney's former house at 32 Cavendish Square, and set up as his successor. In addition to his portraits he executed various subjects and historical works, such as Lavinia, Belisarius, his diploma picture "Prospero and Miranda", and the "Daughter of Jephthah." On the death of Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1830, Shee was chosen president of the Royal Academy in his stead and shortly afterwards received a knighthood. In 1831 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In an examination before the parliamentary committee of 1836 concerning the functions of the Royal Academy, he ably defended its rights. He continued to paint till 1845, when illness made him retire to Brighton. He was deputised for at the Academy by J. M. W. Turner, who had appointed him a trustee of the projected Turner almshouse. From 1842–1849, he was the first president of the Birmingham Society of Artists. Shee died in Brighton in 1850 and was buried in the western extension to St Nicholas' Churchyard in Brighton. His headstone remains, but has been laid flat and moved to the perimeter of the site.
Condition report:
Good
Wear Condition
Good
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Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
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