Portrait of a Young Woman

Artist Sir John Lavery (Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1856 - 1941)

Date1888

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsHeight: 30.7 cm, Width: 25.3 cm
Frame Size: 52.3 × 46.9 × 4.5cm

AcquisitionThe Leslie Thomson Bequest.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG002497

Keywords

About MeThis delicate study of a woman's head was painted at the Glasgow International Exhibition, which took place in Kelvin Park in 1888. John Lavery made sketches of the visitors in the grounds and pavilions of the exhibition and this led to him being commissioned to execute a large painting of Queen Victoria's visit.

The sitter is almost certainly one of the waitresses at the Lyon's tea-room in the exhibition grounds. The waitresses were all dressed as Mary, Queen of Scots and became affectionately known as "Lyon's widows" because of their black uniforms.

More About Me

Collections Wall

"Glasgow Boy" Lavery painted swirls of light around the young woman. Waitresses at the Glasgow International Exhibition wore black Mary Queen of Scots outfits and became known as "Lyon’s Widows".