John Brett, A.R.A. 1830-1902

Jasper Brett and thence by descent in the artist's family to Patricia Smith, great-granddaughter of the artist;
Private collection

National Gallery of Wales, John Brett: A Pre-Raphaelite on the Shores of Wales, 2001, no. 4

STRUCTURE The canvas has been relined. CATALOGUE COMPARISON The catalogue illustration is broadly representative. PAINT SURFACE The paint surface is generally sound. There are traces of craquelure to the background in the upper half of the work and minor surface abrasions along the lower edge. ULTRAVIOLET UV light reveals areas of retouching to the sitter's forehead, nose and cheek; further retouching along the lower edge and a patch off the upper left edge. FRAME held in the original plaster gilt frame in good condition.
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The identification of the sitter of this portrait as Mary Ann Brett, the wife of the painter is established by family tradition, and on the basis of comparison with photographs and drawings of her. Among the latter, are two studies in a sketchbook in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, from the period May 1869 to June 1870.

In this attractive oil portrait Mary is shown wearing a dress of brown material with darker coloured panels running over the shoulders and at the centre. A bow of yellow silk appears at her breast, while a lace collar is glimpsed at her neck. Her fair hair is dressed on the back of her head, and she wears silver earrings.

Mary was the daughter of a London coachman, William Howcroft, and was born on 3 June 1843. Brett and she first met in the late 1860s. They lived together from 1870, and had seven children. No official record of their marriage has ever been found, and it is assumed that they decided to enter upon a common-law union, probably on account of Brett's refusal to submit to a church wedding which would have offended against his principled atheism.
CSN