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19th century English Victorian sketch portrait of two Young Girlscirca 1860
circa 1860
$3,750
£2,833.30
€3,246.11
CA$5,232.47
A$5,703.12
CHF 3,015.19
MX$68,654.75
NOK 38,270.27
SEK 35,086.02
DKK 24,248.59
About the Item
Attributed to William McGregor Paxton Hay (William M. Hay)
Portrait of Two Young Girls
English, circa 1860
Oil on canvas
Unsigned
⸻
A sensitive and quietly compelling Victorian genre portrait depicting two young girls engaged in an intimate domestic moment, attributed to William M. Hay, a painter known for his refined handling of interior scenes and youthful subjects in mid-19th-century England.
The composition is restrained and carefully balanced: the figures are placed close together, their softly modelled faces illuminated against a subdued, shadowed background. One child cradles a vivid red textile—likely sewing or needlework—introducing a gentle accent of colour that enlivens the otherwise muted palette of greys, browns, and warm flesh tones. The exchange of glances between the figures lends the work a quiet psychological depth, characteristic of Victorian narrative painting at its most thoughtful.
The brushwork is delicate and economical, with particular care given to the modelling of faces and hands, while the background remains loosely handled, allowing the figures to emerge with natural clarity. This approach aligns closely with Hay’s known works, which often combine careful observation with a subdued, tonal harmony rather than overt sentimentality.
Housed in a period gilt frame of appropriate date, the painting retains a strong sense of authenticity and presence. Works of this type were popular in Victorian England, reflecting contemporary ideals of childhood, domestic virtue, and familial intimacy.
This painting would sit comfortably within collections focused on Victorian British art, 19th-century genre painting, or portraits of childhood, offering both decorative appeal and historical resonance.
Framed in a new Hand made Victorian style frame.
- Attributed to:William M Hay
- Creation Year:circa 1860
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Condition:The painting is in good condition. It was laid down onto a new wooded board to keep the surface flat.
- Gallery Location:Woodbury, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU507317355092
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