Continental School, late 18th – early 19th century oil on canvas portrait painting depicting Sarah Siddons, the renowned Welsh actress known for her roles in tragedies, most notably as the Shakespearean Lady Macbeth. The sitter is depicted in profile with her back to the viewer, with plaited hair and headscarf wrapped in pearls, wearing a classical-style costume, and reading a book upon a columned veranda. Two partial labels, including one Chicago gallery label with title and erroneous artist attribution "'Mrs. Siddons' by Angelica Kaufmann [sic]" and one with numbering, affixed en verso of stretcher. Housed in a molded giltwood frame with foliate and ribbon detailing having placard affixed to lower center with title and erroneous artist attribution "Mrs. Siddons / Angelica Kauffmann, R.A.". Sight: 29 1/4" H x 24 1/4" W. Framed: 36 1/2" H x 31 1/2" W.

PROVENANCE: The Estate of Edward Laudermilk, Nashville, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Minor craquelure throughout, primarily to face and hair. Painting has an old lining. Blacklight inspection reveals scattered retouching to areas of clothing, upper left quadrant of background, upper left corner, and along edges under frame. Frame with scattered losses to gilt, largest measuring 1/2" x 1/4".