Jane Shurlock, née Russell after John Russell, R.A. (Guildford 1745-1806 Hull)

The inscription on the back board of this picture suggests it was executed by Mrs. Jane Shurlock. This is likely to be John Russell's daughter, Henrietta Ann Jane Russell, (1781-1857) who married Mr. Robert Shurlock (1779-1847). Russell taught his daughter the art of pastel drawing and she became a talented artist in her own right. The present lot seems to be a copy of the Russell's pug depicted in a portrait of Jane De Courcy, 1802, by John Russell. The De Courcy portrait remained in the possession of the Shurlock-Mainwaring family, see G.C. Williamson, John Russell, R.A., London, 1892, p. 165.
The inscription on the reverse of the pastel refers to a Mrs. "M" Shurlock; Mr. Shurlock's first name was 'Robert' so it has been suggested that the inital has been misremembered.

We are grateful to Christian Dettlaff, Guildford House Gallery, for his help in preparing this catalogue entry.