Circle of Robert Byng

British, (1666-1720)
Girl with Orange
Oil on canvas

A half-length portrait of a girl in a feigned oval, circle of Robert Byng. Wearing a fashionable dress and robes of the day, the sitter is clearly from a family of some standing. She is posed in an orangery in front of an opening, which shows a view of a landscape beyond. In her left hand she holds a ripening orange, as if about to pluck it from the branch. During the 17th and 18th century, oranges were a status symbol, as only the very wealthy could afford to grow them. They were a highly prized and expensive treat and were often used in portraiture as a visual metaphor for prosperity and wealth of the family. Fruit such as this can also be seen as a metaphor for fertility. The portrait has clearly been executed by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by Robert Byng.

Robert Byng was a portrait artist from Wiltshire. He worked as a studio assistant to Sir Godfrey Kneller, a leading portrait painter working in England during the late 17th and early 18th century. As well as working in Kneller’s studio Byng produced a number of works in his own right. Examples of his paintings can be found in public art collections including Wells City Council, Thetford Museum & the University of Oxford.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.
Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance