Pastel on paper in an ebonised period frame; framed height 13.5 inches (34 cm.); framed width 12 inches (30.5 cm.); inscribed reverse
Provenance: by family descent and gifted to a friend of the family, 1919
Robert Faraday (1788-1846) was a brass founder and gas engineer, and elder brother of the famous scientist Michael Faraday. He moved in the same circles as other Sharples clients – notably Sir Humphry Davy, who hired Michael Faraday in 1812. The costume, composition and details of the sitter’s life all suggest a date of circa 1812.
Ellen Wallace was a student of James Sharples in Bath and married him around 1787. The family moved to America in 1796 where James was virtually the only serious pastellist active, leading to great demand for his portraits from the likes of George Washington, John Adams, and Joseph Priestley. Hugely talented Ellen at first copied her husband’s work and then after his death returned to England and continued a successful family practice. Drawing with a delicate, precise touch, using predominantly a restrained palette her talents undoubtedly grew to such an extent that her work easily rivals in quality and style that of her husband, this present portrait being a good example of this.
