1785
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
May is a 1785 watercolor by Robert Dighton, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
A woman in a big, fancy dress leans on a windowsill, peering outside. Her hat has a wide brim, and her sleeves are puffy. She holds a fan in one hand and a small object in the other. Behind her, a window with curtains lets in light, and a mirror hangs on the wall. The dress looks soft and detailed, with tiny patterns on the fabric. The room feels cozy but a little old-fashioned. Want to see more of this style? Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a woman in an 18th-century robe anglaise and sheer apron, viewed from behind as she leans on an open window sill, holding a book in one hand. Through this window, figures are seen dancing in the street, while a contrasting forest path is visible through a second, floor-to-ceiling window in the background. She wears a cap beneath an elaborate hat, and a lace-trimmed mantle hangs beside the first window.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Robert Dighton (c.1752 – 1814) was an English portrait painter, printmaker, and caricaturist. He was the founder of a dynasty of artists who followed in his footsteps.
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