Mid 19th Century Woman in Black Dress and Lace Cap Original Oil Painting c.1840 A fine portrait of an elegant matron with the lappets of her cap held together by a fancy brooch Original oil on canvas Canvas dimensions 25" wide x 30" high The gilded frame measures 32" wide x 37" high No visible signature - Remnants of old label verso on stretcher Very good condition The 19th century cap was a modest necessity. Worn by spinsters and matrons both young and old, it neatly covered a lady’s hair while she was at home and abroad. By 1840, styles in caps had changed yet again, in large part to accommodate the early Victorian hairstyles. The caps were composed of lace lappets of a large size, attached on each side of the front hair and often intertwined with a sprig of flowers.