William Egley

Mrs. Mary Ward

Although William Egley was an autodidactic painter he regularly participated in exhibitions at the Royal Academy between 1824 and 1869 and had a large circle of patrons belonging to the London aristocracy. It is highly probable that he was acquainted with the miniaturist George Raphael Ward whose wife Mary Ward, née Webb, is presented in this portrait. She also worked as miniaturist between 1823 and 1849 and probably was a student of Ward's before they got married in 1827 or 1828. This portrait is determined by a traditional structure, a clear harmonious colour palette and a variety of different textiles which are reproduced with great authenticity. In contrast to continental painters, who worked mostly with body colours, the English portraitists often used watercolours which they intensified by applying a coat of pure adhesive.