Artwork
Lady and Child

Lady and Child is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Stephen Slaughter. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Lady and Child is a 1745 oil painting by English portrait painter Stephen Slaughter, characterized by its depiction of a woman and a young girl in a serene domestic setting, embodying elegance and refinement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a tender moment between a woman, dressed in a intricately patterned white gown, and a child in a simpler white dress, seated on her lap amidst a foliage backdrop, conveying intimacy and refinement within a domestic context.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work showcases Slaughter's use of subtle sheen on the woman's attire, highlighting his skill in capturing texture and light, consistent with the Rococo movement's emphasis on delicate and ornate elements.
History & Provenance
Created during Slaughter's period of influence in Dublin, where he introduced English portrait styles, the painting is now part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection.
Context
Lady and Child reflects Slaughter's role in bringing English Rococo portrait painting to 18th-century Dublin, contributing to the region's artistic landscape with its blend of English style and local patronage.
Legacy
As part of the National Gallery of Ireland, the painting provides insight into Slaughter's contribution to Irish art history and the evolution of portrait painting in the region during the 18th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stephen Slaughter (baptised 1697, died 1765) was an English portrait painter. He spent periods of his career in Dublin, where he introduced the English style of portrait painting.











