By Vivienne Milburn
Discovered in a house near Bakewell and originally valued at £200 to £300, this portrait of a 17th century young man (looking more like a pantomime dame) did not deter the bidder paying £3,900.
Painted by Mary Beale (1633-1699), the long overdue levelling up of prices for female artists works means that this picture made a premium price in the recent specialist auction.
Mary Beale was working in an era prior to the Royal Academy of Art being established, however it is interesting to note that apart from the founder members of the RA in 1768 – Angelica Kaufman along with Mary Moser – it then took another 160 years before Dame Laura Knight became the first female artist to be elected full membership in 1936. Her success in the male-dominated British art establishment paved the way for greater status and recognition for female artists.
Although the painting was not signed, the portrait was painted in a carved stone oval which is something of a trademark for Mary Beale and helped to attribute this picture as a work by her.
Mary Beale occupies a distinguished place in British art history as one of the first professional female painters to achieve both critical and commercial success. Working in London during the Restoration period, she established a thriving portrait practice at a time when professional opportunities for women were extremely limited.
By the 1670s she was earning a substantial income from painting, making her one of the earliest English women to support a family through artistic practice.
For many years after her death, Beale’s reputation was overshadowed by her male contemporaries. However, recent museum exhibitions and renewed interest in overlooked female artists have restored her standing as a significant figure in 17th Century British art.
In 2025, a portrait by her sold at auction for £22,100, reflecting growing demand for her pictures.
Auction sales of works by women artists have increased significantly in recent years. Women artists represented 13.8% of auction sales value in 2024, more than double their share in 2018. Although inequalities remain, the art market is increasingly recognising the importance and value of women’s artistic achievements.If you require a valuation on your antiques and collectables, it is worth getting the advice of an Independent Antiques Valuer to assess your works of art. For information, please contact Vivienne Milburn on Mobile 07870 238788 or 01629 640210. www.viviennemilburn.co.uk vivienne@viviennemilburn.co.uk