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Elegant Portrait of Alice Gore by William Henry Gore, Gilt-Framed 19th-Century Oil Painting

Description of the Painting

This is an oil on canvas portrait of a young woman, traditionally identified as the sister of the Victorian/Edwardian artist William Henry Gore (1857–1942). The sitter is shown half-length against a dark background, wearing a ruffled ochre-golden gown with lace detail at the neckline and a delicate drop earring. Her hair is dressed in a swept-back style, typical of the late Victorian period. The work is presented in a period gilt frame.

The painting bears a striking resemblance to an illustration reproduced in William Henry Gore: A Victorian/Edwardian Painter 1857–1942 by Margaret Wheeler (1992), where Gore’s niece is depicted in a different pose. Comparison of the brushwork, palette, and treatment of features strongly suggests that the present painting is another portrait of the same sitter. Wheeler’s monograph includes both black-and-white and colour plates, and one plate shows a portrait of Gore’s niece, which shares similar facial likeness and costume detail with this work.

Although William Henry Gore is best known for his rustic genre paintings, depictions of children, and scenes of rural life, he also produced portraits of family members. This painting, given the stylistic and compositional similarities to the published example of his niece, is highly consistent with Gore’s hand and subject matter within the domestic sphere.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Attributed to William Henry Gore (1857–1942)
Sitter: Believed to be the artist’s niece
Date: Late 19th century (c. 1880s–1890s)
Dimensions: 22.5 x26.5xinches (57 x 67 cms)
Frame: Original or period gilt frame

Provenance: Private collection. Further research is recommended to trace ownership history.

Literature: Margaret Wheeler, William Henry Gore: A Victorian/Edwardian Painter 1857–1942, Arthur H. Stockwell Ltd., 1992. The sitter (Gore’s niece) is illustrated in an alternative pose in this publication.

This oil painting, believed to depict Alice Gore, the sister of artist William Henry Gore (1857-1942), offers a unique glimpse into the personal life of the artist. The portrait is likely a reflection of the close relationship between the artist and his sister, adding a touch of intimacy and depth to the piece.

As a beautiful representation of 19th-century art, this painting showcases William Henry Gore’s exceptional skill and style, characteristic of the era. The piece is presented on canvas, framed in an exquisitely crafted gilt frame that enhances its timeless elegance and sophistication.

This listing includes the exhibition catalogue (a 52-page catalogue of William Gore) from the Newbury Museum’s 1988 exhibition, providing valuable insights into the artwork’s history and significance. William Henry Gore's life and work remain relatively unknown, making this piece not only a beautiful work of art but also a significant and rare find for collectors and admirers of 19th-century portraiture.

The painting comes with an exhibition catalogue: exhibited in the Newbury Museum. 1988. Newbury, Berkshire, UK. This is believed to be Alice Gore, the sister of the Artist