Mid 19th Century English School Miniature Portrait of a Lady in a Blue Dress This charming young woman has powder white skin and rich auburn curly hair that is held up with a carved tortoise shell hair comb. She sits for the portrait wearing no jewelry, allowing the viewer to focus on her natural beauty. Her blue dress with it's white lace collar and golden buckle show the sitter is from an upper class family. The miniature measures 2 x 2.75 and his housed in a gilded copper frame, 2.5 x 3. Painted on what appears to be heavy laid paper, or some sort of thin nature material. There appears to be a signature in red (illegible) at the middle left edge (see pics) In Victorian England women were obsessed with the pallor of their skin, a symbol of privilege. Many women used elaborate methods such as powders and creams to make their appearance, but many also used veils, gloves and parasols. Good antique condition. The miniature is slightly loose in the frame. This does not affect the overall display of this fine portrait. There are some various notes in pencil on the back that seem to be period to the miniature. These are slightly illegible - see pics. This will look wonderful in your curio cabinet along with your other miniatures, or even modified to wear as a brooch.