Artwork

Lady and Child

Lady and Child, by Stephen Slaughter, oil, 1745
Lady and Child, by Stephen Slaughter, oil, 1745

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

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.