Property of a private collection.

ENOCH SEEMAN (DANZIG c.1694-1744 LONDON)
Portrait of Mary Gybbon, standing three-quarter length alongside an organ holding the sheet music for Aria dall’amor piu sventurato
signed and dated with initials 'E. S/ pix. 1738' (lower right)
oil on canvas
126.6 x 101 cm

Property of a private collection.

The sitter is shown in the present work, possibly about to perform and is represented as a talented young female artist.

Enoch Seeman was brought to London by his father in 1704 and established himself as a great portraitist from a young age. Seeman was heavily inspired by European artists such as Van Dyck and Holbein, whose influence can be admired throughout his portraits. Seeman established royal patronage throughout his career, painting sitters such as George II and Queen Caroline (whose portrait is now held by the Royal Collection Trust).

The sitter in the present portrait is traditionally held to be Mary Gybbon, daughter of Phillips Gybbon and Catherine Bear, and sister of Elizabeth Jordell. She stands poised by an organ holding a sheet of music which is believed to be a section of Aria dall’amor piu sventurato which is typically sung by a female mezzo-soprano, perhaps therefore, the present sitter is preparing to sing. The piece originates from L'Orfeo, an opera by Claudio Monteverdi. The piece tells the story of Orpheus, recalling his decent to Hades and his unsuccessful attempt to bring his deceased bride, Eurydice, back to life.