Thou Bird of God

Joanna Boyce Wells (1831-1861)

1861

Oil on card

This lovely portrait shows a girl with rosy cheeks, wide hazel eyes, windswept Pre-Raphaelite hair, and dove-like angelic wings. She appears against a soft cloudy sky as if she was really flying. [Commentary continues below.]

  • The painting in its frame
  • Photographs and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee.

    Photograph taken, by kind permission, at the the National Portrait Gallery, London, when the painting was featured in their "Pre-Raphaelite Sisters" exhibition, 17 October 2019 – 26 January 2020). [Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]