Lot 667: EMMA GAGGIOTTI-RICHARDS

EMMA GAGGIOTTI-RICHARDS 1825 - 1912 A PAIR OF PERSONIFICATIONS OF SUMMER AND AUTUMN Quantity: 2 each signed and dated lower left: EMMA . G . RICHARDS . / 1842 a pair, both oil on canvas, oval each: 81 by 69 cm.; 31 3/4 by 27 1/4 in.

The artist was a favourite painter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. They acquired no less than six pictures by her between the years 1853 and 1861. In all but one case they were either given as Christmas presents or birthday presents to each other. The Duke may have been responsible for introducing the Queen to the artist's work as she may have seen the pictures offered here on her visit to Chatsworth. Through the Royal connection the artist became a familiar with their extended family and Prince William of Baden asked Winterhalter to assist her in 1857. Her self portrait hangs in the collection at Osborne House.