Two studies of a little girl's head (Millie Smith)

Summary

Two head and shoulder portrait studies of a little girl with short dark hair. The girl is Millie Smith, the daughter of Ford Madox Brown’s landlord at Southend in 1846. On the left Millie is depicted in profile with her head lowered, wearing a white short-sleeved dress and a string of dark beads around her neck. On the right she is depicted full face with her gaze directed downwards and to the right. She is wearing a dark red dress with a pink flower pinned to the neckline.

Display Label

Two studies of a little girl’s head (Millie Smith) 1846-7, 1854 Ford Madox Brown 1821-93 Oil on linen Millie Smith was the daughter of Ford Madox Brown’s landlord at Southend. Brown stayed there with his own small daughter on his return from Rome after the death of his first wife. The portrait is painted on a table napkin. G. Beatson Blair bequest 1947.70