Arthur Miles

About the Portrait

This portrait depicts Oceana Blanche Lega-Weekes at the age of 12, painted in 1878 by British Victorian artist Arthur Miles (1827-1904). The young girl appears with a serene and melancholic expression, her large dark eyes conveying depth and introspection. Her wavy brown hair frames her face softly and is carefully styled with volume at the top, reflecting the fashion of the time.

She wears an elegant dark dress, contrasted by a delicate white lace collar adorned with a central piece of jewelry, suggesting a refined status and attire typical of Victorian society. A small yellow floral brooch adds a touch of color and warmth to her outfit. The background features a natural landscape with a cloudy sky and earthy tones, reinforcing the contemplative atmosphere of the piece.

Arthur Miles' brushwork captures not only Oceana Blanche's physical appearance but also a sense of emotional depth and the delicacy of her age. The painting is signed and dated in the lower right corner and housed in an ornate gilt wood frame. The work exemplifies Victorian portrait painting's emphasis on psychological presence and social status.

About the Artist

Arthur Miles (1827-1904) was a British Victorian portrait and genre painter born in Lambeth, South London, on January 10, 1827. He was the son of Thomas Miles, a composer and music teacher, and brother of landscape painter 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. One of his works is held in the National Gallery, London.

His style combined academic technique with sensitivity to character and psychological depth, making him a sought-after portraitist for middle and upper-class families. Miles died in Stroud Green, North London, on June 22, 1904, leaving behind a body of work that documents Victorian society and its values.

About Oceana Blanche Lega-Weekes

Oceana Blanche Lega-Weekes was born in December 1865 aboard a ship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Zanzibar to London. She was the second daughter of Captain Ansel Weekes, an American naval officer, and Clelia Lega, née Fletcher, of English descent.

On her mother's side, she traced her lineage to close associates of Lord Byron in Italy and Greece: William Fletcher, who served as Byron's valet, and Antonio Lega Zambelli, the poet's private secretary from 1819 until Byron's death in 1824. The two families were later united through marriage when Fletcher's son wed Lega's daughter.

Her mother, Clelia, was a passionate historian with a particular interest in tracing the ancestry of the Weekes family, while her older sister, Ethel Clelia Lega-Weekes, gained recognition as a historian and author, specializing in medieval Devon. In contrast, Oceana's life unfolded in a very different direction.

As she reached adulthood, Oceana faced significant mental health difficulties, and by 1907, at the age of 41, she suffered a profound psychological crisis. She was admitted to Croydon Mental Hospital in Warlingham, Surrey, where records describe her experiencing vivid delusions. Her condition was influenced by intricate religious and aristocratic fantasies, likely shaped by her family's deep fascination with lineage and ancestry.

Despite continuous care, Oceana never regained her mental well-being and remained in hospital for the rest of her life. She passed away in 1918 at the age of 53. Her story provides insight into the intersection of family heritage, societal pressures, and mental illness in the early 20th century.

Technical Details

Artist: Arthur Miles (1827-1904)
Signed: Lower right corner, dated 1878
Date: 1878
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 36 x 31 cm / 14 x 12¼ in
Frame: 50 x 45 cm / 19¾ x 17¾ in, gilt wood, very good condition
Provenance: Sweden

A poignant Victorian portrait with documented provenance and connection to Lord Byron's circle.