Gervase Spencer, Portrait of an Unknown Woman

Gervase Spencer, Died 1763
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
Dated 1755
Painted in enamel on copper; the frame not original to the miniature
Inscribed by the artist in enamel on the back, in Latin, 'Ger.'. Spencer made this' and dated '1755'
Museum No P.4-1943
Purchased with funds from the R.H. Stephenson Bequest

This woman is wearing Turkish costume, which was popular in Britain as fancy dress. Her costume and pose are copied from a miniature painting by Jean-Etienne Liotard, who had lived in Turkey.