Lot 27: Marie Stillman , 1844-1927 portrait of a lady with a fan watercolour with bodycolour

bears a monogram and date of 1868 l.l. watercolour with bodycolour

measurements note 55 by 39 cm., 21 1/2 by 13 in.

Possibly William Michael and Catherine Rossetti;
Private collection, Japan;
Sotheby's, 14 June 2001, lot 32;
Private collection

PROPERTY OF A LADY
This picture had formerly been attributed to Dante Gabriel Rossetti based upon a monogram which was added at a later date. It has also been erroneously suggested that it is a portrait of Ellen Terry when she was aged twenty. A label on the reverse suggests that the picture was owned by William Michael Rossetti, brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The fact that the picture was in his collection may account for why it was misattributed and given his brother's monogram. Maria Stillman was a close friend of William Michael and his wife Lucy, to whom she often wrote from her home in Florence. It is therefore possible that the painting depicts Lucy, who was a beautiful and talented artist. She was the daughter of the artist Ford Madox Brown and half-sister of Catherine Madox Brown. Another version of this painting, differing only in details is known (Christie's, 4 November 1999, lot 55).