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Souvenir of an "International Ball" (Portrait of Miss Kathleen Bruce) by Charles Haslewood Shannon

Charles Haslewood Shannon · 1907-01-01

This is Charles Haslewood Shannon's 1907 oil painting, Souvenir of an "International Ball" (Portrait of Miss Kathleen Bruce). Though appearing as a formal society portrait, it subtly captures the spirit of celebration.

Look at the woman's face and then her hair. Most portraits of this era would focus on somber elegance, but Shannon includes a vibrant splash of color in her updo. Her white-gloved hand delicately holds an open fan, hinting at the social event that inspired the painting.

Painted in 1907, Shannon was known for his portraits and exhibited widely across Europe, including at London's National Portrait Gallery. This piece exemplifies his skill in capturing both likeness and context.

The blue feather transforms a static portrait into a dynamic memory of a lively ball.

Details

But look closer at her hair.
But look closer at her hair.
The fan is open, pale, and delicate.
The fan is open, pale, and delicate.
She sits in an ornate green chair.
She sits in an ornate green chair.
Transcript

She looks like a society portrait. But look closer at her hair. A bright blue feather adds festivity. Her gloved hand holds a formal fan. The fan is open, pale, and delicate. She sits in an ornate green chair. The painter signed it in 1907.