(British, circa 1720-1775)

Girl in a Blue Satin Gown and Holding a Rose, unsigned, oil on canvas, 50-1/8 x 40-3/8 in.; fine 18th century English carved and gilt wood gilt frame, 59-1/8 x 49-3/8 in. [Old Masters]

Note: Peter Tillou believed this painting to be by John Singleton Copley and noted as being "from the Livingston family". In the conservation reports there are images of the verso with the initials "IWG".

A specialist drapery painter was often employed by almost all the leading British portraitists of the early and mid 18th century. The most popular and skilled of the draperyman's profession at this time was Joseph van Aken (Flemish, 1699?1749). Van Aken settled in England in about 1720 and worked for Henry Pickering and other portrait painters of the period.

Provenance: The Estate of Peter H. Tillou, Litchfield, Connecticut

lined with Beva and linen, restretched on new stretcher, small areas of retouch, crackle, accompanied by detailed conservation report from Yost Conservation LLC dated 2007; frame with abrasions, some repairs and losses