Mrs. George Horsley (Charlotte Mary Talbot, died 1828) 1783 - 1807

This is John Westbrooke Chandler's portrait of Mrs. George Horsley, captured with oil on canvas. Painted during a time of rigid social structures, this work reflects the complex negotiations of identity and status in late 18th-century society. Mrs. Horsley’s gaze is direct, yet there's a reticence in her expression, perhaps indicative of the limited agency afforded to women of her time. Her garments, while hinting at affluence, are rendered with a muted palette, steering clear of ostentatious display and signaling the virtues of modesty and restraint valued in women. Chandler paints Mrs. Horsley with a sensitivity that transcends mere representation. He captures something of her inner world, her lived experience within the confines of her era. The portrait invites us to consider the intricate interplay between personal identity and social expectations.