Art Funded by you

Preparing for a Fancy Dress Ball (Charlotte and Mary Williams-Wynn)

William Etty, 1833

York Art Gallery has the largest holding of works by the York born artist William Etty in any UK public collection. This work shows a new aspect of his portraiture. The majority of Etty's portraits depict friends or associates of the artist but this portrait was commissioned by an upper class patron, Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn MP, and is one of only a handful of society portraits painted by the artist. It depicts two of the patron's five daughters; the standing figure holds a ribbon and turns towards the viewer, as if she has been interrupted whilst making the final preparations to her sister's costume.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Preparing for a Fancy Dress Ball (Charlotte and Mary Williams-Wynn), 1833

Date supported

2009

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

150.8 x 128.8 cm

Grant

40000

Total cost

120000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

Art Funded by you FAQs

Why is this object record marked 'archive'?
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?

Contact us

If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.