Joseph Thraves, Portrait Of A Scholar An Alcove A fine mid-19th-century oil painting

A fine mid-19th-century oil painting depicting a rural scene with chickens

Medium: Stipple engravings on paperOverall size: 28½” x 23” / 73cm x 59cmYear of creation: 1800 and 1801Condition: A few areas of foxing and light staining

their red sails cutting through a light blue sky

maybe the leading lady in a classical performance

Joseph Thraves, Portrait Of A Scholar An Alcove A fine mid-19th-century oil paintingThis charming portrait by Derbyshire artist Joseph Thraves (1805 1851) depicts a scholar proudly standing with his hand on an open book. Its likely that the family commissioned this piece following the offer of a prestigious scholarship for the young man. In Victorian England, scholarships provided middle class children with an opportunity to better themselves. Traditionally, the best education was reserved for those with upper class backgrounds but