To Say Hello to a Pretty Girl

I have had an interest in the works of the artist James Charles (1851-1906) for some years. Charles' life and works were conveniently summarised by a short obituary in the Daily Mail of 1906:

" A Master unknown to the Public

True genius in art is so rare in these days of commercialism that it is nothing short of astounding if it can flourish in our midst and pass away again all but unnoticed. James Charles, whose remains were buried this week had gained the recognition and unstinted admiration of a few of his brother artists, and secured the faithful patronage of still fewer discerning collectors, yet to the public his name conveys no meaning. In the opinion of such great painters as Mr. Clausen, Mr. Shannon and Mr La Thangue, Charles was unequalled among his contemporaries as regards profound knowledge of nature and power to express his knowledge"


That was in 1906 and surprisingly that is how it still is today.

When I purchased this picture it was described as "The Coral Necklace" and I was told that the portrait may be of "the artists daughter"

Now I could never leave it like that and so I made enquiries.

I have come to the view (with the help of others) that the portrait depicts Kate Millicent Charles, the fourth child of James Charles and who was born in 1879 and died in 1950.

There will be more tomorrow as to how she was identified and I will ask you if you consider that the right conclusion has been reached.