Silhouette by William Hamlet the Elder

Silhouette by William Hamlet the Elder (fl 1785-1816). The McKechnie reference directs us to the main entry in Section 3 – silhouettes on glass which was the primary medium for this artist. However, this belongs in Section 2 – painted on card, as here, or paper. This piece is so very typical of his work, the details of the dress being picked out by finely executed thinned pigment, and the deep shadow between the arm and the dress. To the rear we see an unbroken Hamlet Label printed by Huntly as seen below Queen Charlottes coat of arms. The address on the label is No 12 Union Street, Bath, and therefore identifies this as Trade Label No 4 (1810-16). Illustration 822 on page 484 (McKechnie) is very similar to this piece. Papier mache frame with rose and leaf hanger.