cabinet photograph

Debenham & Co

Summary

Full length studio portrait of a woman with 3 girls and 1 boy. Family portrait, possibly mourning. The woman is seated between the children, she has centre parted hair worn in a chignon and a long sleeved dress with a pleated bodice and a high round neck with a lace standing collar underneath. Her bodice buttons centre front and extends into a gathered overskirt with pleated underskirt. She has fitted sleeves with slight kick up pleats at the shoulder and bows at the cuff with lace trims. The 2 girls either side of her are wearing identical dresses with long sleeves, pleated cuffs with lace trims, high necks and turned up overskirts gathered at the back with pleated skirts. The other girl is wearing a long sleeved dress and white lace collar with kick up pleats at the shoulder seam and smocking around the neck and waist with buttons down the centre front. All of the girls have centre parted hair worn back with ribbons tied round their head in a bow. The small boy is seated on a fur rug with a toy horse and carriage beside him, he is wearing a wool suit with short trousers, a white rounded collar and ankle socks with lace up leather boots. Painted interior backdrop of a window and drape. Written on the back in pencil "Mab(?) Churchill / Family"