Artwork
Mrs. George Horsley (Charlotte Mary Talbot, died 1828)

Mrs. George Horsley (Charlotte Mary Talbot, died 1828) is an oil painting. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting presents a portrait of Mrs.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The image functions as a visual record of the sitter’s appearance and social identity within late‑18th‑century English society.
The work is a portrait that depicts Charlotte Mary Talbot, who was married as Mrs. George Horsley and died in 1828. Created in 1787, the painting is executed in oil on canvas and measures approximately 76.2 cm by 63.2 cm. Its genre is classified as a portrait, and it was produced by an artist attributed to John Westbrooke Chandler, as recorded in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The image functions as a visual record of the sitter’s appearance and social identity within late‑18th‑century English society.
Technique & Style
The portrait was executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for late‑18th‑century British portraiture. The artist employed the conventional oil‑paint technique, building thin layers to achieve a realistic rendering of the sitter’s features and attire. The canvas was prepared with a ground layer typical of the period, allowing fine brushwork to define facial detail and the delicate folds of the dress.
Composition follows the customary half‑length format, with the sitter positioned against a muted background, emphasizing formal poise. Stylistically, the work reflects the neoclassical emphasis on clarity of line and restrained coloration, characteristic of portraiture attributed to John Westbrooke Chandler.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Charlotte Mary Talbot, Mrs. George Horsley, is attributed to the English painter John Westbrooke Chandler and dated to 1787. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures approximately 76.2 cm by 63.2 cm. According to the sources, the painting is presently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; no earlier ownership or commission details are recorded in the available references. Thus, its known provenance begins with its entry into the Met’s holdings, while its creation is ascribed to Chandler in the late‑18th century.
The portrait titled 'Mrs. George Horsley (Charlotte Mary Talbot, died 1828)' is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Attributed to John Westbrooke Chandler, this oil-on-canvas painting depicts the sitter and was created in 1787. The work measures 76.2 cm in height and 63.2 cm in width.
While the sources confirm its current location within the museum's holdings, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Furthermore, the available documentation offers no details regarding the painting's exhibition history or past display records.
Legacy
The 1787 portrait of Mrs. George Horsley, identified as Charlotte Mary Talbot, is attributed to John Westbrooke Chandler and exemplifies 18th‑century British portraiture; its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection underscores its lasting recognition and scholarly interest as a representative work of the period. The painting’s provenance and material details, documented in contemporary records, have contributed to its reputation as a notable example of early portraiture within major museum displays.
Overview
This oil painting presents a portrait of Mrs. George Horsley, identified as Charlotte Mary Talbot, who passed away in 1828. The subject is depicted wearing a white cap, a high-necked dress, and a dark shawl. Her features are rendered with a composed expression, set against a somber, indistinct background that suggests a distant light source. The artist's approach highlights her figure and attire.
Artist & collection



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