Lot 156: John Cox Dillman Engleheart (Kew 1781/4 - Tunbridge Wells 1862)

Three sisters; one wears striped dress and white fichu; one wears white dress with lace neckline and pearl necklace; the other, seated, wears pink dress with white sleeves, a Kashmir shawl fallen from her shoulders onto her red upholstered chair, all with curled brown hair; pillar, red curtain and sky background
gilt-metal mount within later gilded wood frame
Rectangular, 146mm. (5 3/4ins.) high

H.M., 1999
P.A., 1999
S.N.P.G., 2000-2003

S.P.N.F., no.95

The similarities in their clear blue eyes and brown hair suggest that these three are sisters. The group portrait was probably painted to send to possible suitors, as all three women hide their left hand and are presumably unmarried. It is also rare for women to be painted with their siblings after marriage.
The composition has some similarities with Reynolds portrait of the three Waldegrave sisters (1780), also painted prior to their marriages. The pillar and curtain background in Reynolds' group portrait is also a device employed by J.C.D.Engleheart in the present lot.