An original British School Regency Period watercolor portrait, mounted in a Georgian Period fruitwood frame – Dated 1834. A charming painting, even better in person. These watercolors were largely painted by young girls from aristocratic families during the Jane Austen period. The arts of painting and music were the primary part of their education, and they became amazingly skilled. Inscribed in pencil on the verso of the frame: JR Melville, Age of Eighteen, 1834. This may refer to the name of the sitter or the painter. The subject is a portrait of a young man seen in profile. He is blond and blue eyed, with his hair and clothing in the style of his day. A young Britishman from the upper class, surprisingly detailed and realistically painted. Vibrantly colored with delicate shadowing, on a soft watercolor paper. The frame is beveled fruitwood with an inner frame in gold leaf. The original Georgian period hanging ring is intact. Painted by a very talented young artist. Outer frame: 8.5 in. L x 7.75 in. W x .75 in. H Inner frame: 5 L in. x 4 W Very light foxing to the paper as expected, not examined out of frame. The frame is in remarkable condition showing minor age wear.