A portrait stored for 35 years by the National Trust has left amazed after being unmasked as an 18th-century painting by one of the most “successful female artists of any era”.
‘The Portrait of a Tyrolese Lady’ had been in the collection at Cheshire’s Tatton Park country estate since the 18th Century, but had not been confirmed as an original rococo artwork.
It was on display in the estate in Knutsford that was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1958, until 1987 when it was taken down to allow for redecoration.
But when a New York art museum, tracing paintings by renowned Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera (1673-1757), asked them if they still had the piece they dusted it off and found an 18th Century prayer card in the frame proving it was an original.
Tatton Park was once the home of the aristocratic Egerton family and the painting entered their collection in the mid-18th Century via Samuel Hill, the wealthy uncle of the property’s then-master Samuel Egerton.
Tatton Park collections manager Vicky Rowbotham hailed the artwork – which was created between 1700 and 1750 – as an “exciting discovery”.
Carriera was born in Venice in the late 17th Century at a time when being an artist was frowned upon, particularly for women. She became a painter of scenes for snuff box lids before moving on to portrait miniatures.
Her talent meant she was in demand in the Royal Courts and by the Grand Tour tourists flocking to Venice, though her works were sometimes considered risqué due to subjects’ “delicate” lace coverings “only just saving their modesty”.
Ms Rowbotham said Carriera “became integral in popularising the use of pastels and as an initiator of the Rococo style and is remembered as one of the most successful female artists of any era”.
The portrait had previously been thought to be by Carriera, but as there were three versions of it in existence, there was a belief it was just a copy.
However, the discovery of a Santini card, a small prayer document traditionally used by Roman Catholics, hidden in the frame of the piece helped the New York-based art museum The Frick Collection’s deputy director Xavier Salomon and chief curator Peter Jay Sharp confirm its authenticity.
Ms Rowbotham added: “When Rosalba prepared her work for export, she would hide a Santini prayer… tucked into the back of the frames, for blessings for a safe passage.
“Over time, these fragile bits of paper often became lost or separated from her works. The discovery of one still in situ at Tatton was a real find.”
She said further research was needed to determine the “very fragile” piece’s value, but it had undergone conservation work to stabilise the surface, frame and glass.
From today (Wednesday) it has gone on display in the hall’s Yellow Drawing Room, where it was originally hung, ahead of the seasonal closure of Tatton Park and will be displayed again during 2024, before returning to storage.
“Works in pastel are very delicate and this one is no exception,” Ms Rowbotham said.
“It is a beautiful piece which shows elegance and sophistication and we are extremely pleased to be able to display the work and tell Carriera’s story.”
