Dolin, Geist, Mrs (McKechnie Section 2)
We know nothing of the life of this artist, who may either have been of non-British (possibly Dutch) origin, or British, married to a foreigner resident in Britain or abroad.
The one known example of her work is painted somewhat in the style of Torond. The shadow beneath the bust-line, in which the artist signed her name, is a feature untypical of the period (c. 1777-78) when the profile was painted.
The possibility that this signature reads `Mrs Geist Delin' (not Dolin) has been considered, but magnification shows clearly that the second word is `Dolin'.
For the purpose of identifying other possible examples of Mrs Dolin's work, both the circular shape of this silhouette, and the shadow line beneath the bust, might offer useful dues.
Ills. 742. 743
742
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on paper
c. 1777-78
Diameter 3¾in./96mm.
Unknown woman
Silhouette painted on paper
c. 1777-78
Diameter 3¾in./96mm.
Signed ‘Mrs Geist Dolin’. The circular shape of the paper on which this silhouette is painted was not normally used by British artists.
J. A. Pollak collection
743
Detail from the illustrated silhouette by Mrs Geist Dolin (7429. It shows the bust-line, terminated by a shadow (possibly intended to give a three-dimensional effect) which is in turn finished with a neat edge. The inscription, ‘Mrs Geist Dolin’, has been written beneath, no doubt with a quill.
Detail from the illustrated silhouette by Mrs Geist Dolin (7429. It shows the bust-line, terminated by a shadow (possibly intended to give a three-dimensional effect) which is in turn finished with a neat edge. The inscription, ‘Mrs Geist Dolin’, has been written beneath, no doubt with a quill.
J. A. Pollak collection