Arthur Miles

About the Portrait

This 1867 oil portrait by British Victorian painter Arthur Miles (1827-1904) captures Charlotte Augusta Waddell, a renowned New York socialite and salonnière of the mid-19th century. Rendered with refined detail, the sitter appears composed and self-assured, her dark curls framing a calm, luminous face.

Charlotte wears a sumptuous burgundy velvet gown trimmed with fine white lace, complemented by period jewelry including a gold pendant and cameo brooch—subtle indicators of her social status and refined taste. The work is distinguished by its oval composition, nuanced handling of light and texture, and the sitter's dignified presence.

Set in its original finely carved gilt frame with velvet lining and oval aperture, the painting exemplifies Victorian portraiture at its most intimate and sophisticated. The oil on canvas was professionally relined and restored in the early 1980s. Signed and dated in the lower right corner, the work represents Miles' skill in capturing both the external likeness and the social presence of his elite sitters.

About the Artist

Arthur Miles (1827-1904) was a distinguished British portrait and genre painter of the Victorian era, celebrated for his refined depictions of social elites and intellectuals. Born in Lambeth, South London, on January 10, 1827, Miles was the son of composer Thomas Miles and brother of landscape artist Leonidas Clint Miles (1839-1898).

Miles exhibited regularly at major British institutions throughout his career: the Royal Academy between 1851 and 1872, the British Institution between 1862 and 1867, and the Royal Society of British Artists between 1859 and 1880. His consistent presence at these venues established him as a respected portraitist among Victorian society.

Specializing in portraits of upper-class sitters and society figures, Miles' compositions are noted for their quiet psychological depth, smooth painterly execution, and faithful realism. His patrons were often affluent individuals and aristocrats in both Britain and the United States, reflecting the transatlantic connections of the Victorian elite.

His style blends academic technique with an intimate sensitivity to character, fashion, and setting. Through his portraits, Miles captured not only the physical appearance of his sitters but also their social roles and cultural presence in 19th-century society. Today, his works are held in prominent collections, including London's National Gallery, and remain valued by collectors of Victorian art and institutions dedicated to Anglo-American heritage.

About Charlotte Augusta Waddell

Charlotte Augusta Southwick Waddell (1813-1891), née Southwick, was a prominent figure in pre-Gilded Age New York society. Following her marriage to financier and former U.S. Marshal William Coventry Waddell, she established one of New York City's earliest literary salons, playing a pivotal role in shaping Manhattan's cultural landscape during the mid-19th century.

Her salon hosted distinguished guests including statesman Daniel Webster and author Washington Irving, making her residence a center of intellectual and cultural exchange. Despite financial setbacks following the Panic of 1857, she retained her status as a cultural icon and intellectual hostess throughout her life. She died in 1891 and is buried in Trinity Churchyard, New York.

Technical Details

Artist: Arthur Miles (1827-1904)
Signed: Lower right corner, dated 1867
Date: 1867
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition, professionally relined and restored early 1980s
Dimensions: 76 x 64 cm / 30 x 25¼ in
Frame: 95 x 83 cm / 37½ x 32¾ in, gilt wood with oval aperture, very good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Ottawa

An intimate example of Victorian transatlantic portraiture by a Royal Academy exhibitor.