William William’s Second Wife Frederick Tatham (1805-1878)

The portrait presents a woman in what appears to be a rural setting. She is positioned centrally within the composition, her gaze directed towards the viewer with a directness that commands attention. The artist has rendered her features with a stark realism; wrinkles are pronounced, and the skin tone exhibits a pallor suggesting age or perhaps ill health. Her eyes possess an unsettling quality – they seem large and somewhat detached, contributing to a sense of unease in the observer.
The woman is dressed in dark clothing – a black dress draped over her form with a heavy shawl covering her shoulders. A crisp white cap adorns her head, intricately detailed with lace ruffles that frame her face. The stark contrast between the darkness of her attire and the whiteness of the cap draws focus to her countenance.
Behind her stretches a landscape rendered in muted greens and blues. It is not idyllic; rather, it appears somewhat bleak and sparsely populated. A distant structure can be discerned on the horizon, adding depth but offering little visual warmth. The sky above is painted with an unusual, almost unnatural blue hue, which contributes to the painting’s overall sense of melancholy.
The artists technique is notable for its deliberate lack of idealization. There is no attempt to soften or beautify the subject; instead, a meticulous attention has been paid to capturing her physical characteristics with unflinching accuracy. This approach suggests an intention beyond mere representation – it implies a desire to convey something about the woman’s character or perhaps even a commentary on societal perceptions of aging and femininity.
The painting evokes a feeling of quiet dignity mixed with a palpable sense of isolation. The subjects direct gaze, combined with her somber attire and the desolate landscape behind her, suggests a life marked by hardship or resignation. It is possible to interpret this as an exploration of the burdens carried by women in a specific historical context, where their roles were often defined by duty and endurance rather than personal fulfillment. The overall effect is one of profound psychological depth, prompting reflection on themes of mortality, social standing, and the complexities of human experience.