Do you recognise this painting?

Granny23 Hard to keep smiling for the length of time it takes for a portrait to be painted – unless you're La Gioconda.

The only striped dress, hair up and a child I have come up with is Madame Monet

OMG Tegan that's it. Thank you so much. It's been driving me insane. Where did I get the striped dress from?

Well, it has got striped sleeves!

OMG - pre-raphelite indeed. I think portraits by the pre-raphelites not common? (as opposed to paintings with models in of historical/mythical subjects). But I bet this one paid well.
She is the very vision of ideal well-heeled mother of a growing brood isn't she. Idealised or what. Paintings like this always make me remember what a terrible time most women had in the 19th century. Even the rich suffered infant mortality, TB epidemic, obstetric carnage and probably VD as well, judging by the amount of prostitution.
granny23 even in early family photos you will not see smiles. But that I think was for technical reasons - slow shutter speed on cameras - easier to keep still straight face than still smile.
But apart from the notable exception of Mona Lisa, smiles were not the fashion ever in portraits were they? Which is probably why they always went on and on about the ML smile.

I thought I was quite knowledgeable about Pre Raphaelite paintings but I'd never come across that one before. I think the central figure in several more well know paintings wear striped dresses and they sort of morphed themselves into your consciousness [along with the vertical lines of the trees]. Did you ever watch the BBC series about the Pre Raphaelites vampire? It was only going to the meet up in Brum at the Art Gallery that made me realise why I loved Pre Raphaelite stuff so much; I'd grown up seeing so many of their paintings on a regular basis, the museum/art gallery being one of my favourite places to visit.

Heavens, it's VILE !

Feminist nightmare phoenix?
Certainly a bit sentimental isn't it?
Reminds me of that weird one with the goat in - the Scape Goat
The Awakening Conscience is another interesting one - reminds me of the Crimson Petal, but it kind of implies a religious guilt (I have seen the light and I'm off to join a nunnery) rather than "omg what am I doing hanging out with this chauvinist tosser"

JessM

I must say that when I read the OP, I thought it was an Impressionist one that I could almost see in my minds eye.

The Awakening Conscience was meant to be shown with another painting [probably of the lady in question after being 'saved'] but somehow ended up being shown on it's own.

Ha Ha Phoenix, I thought it was vile as well but didn't like to say so when I looked at the link last night.
The children look deformed and the boy holding the dog is decidedly creepy (was the model aged 50?)
No doubt the servants will soon be along to clear up all that picnic stuff.

I love the web site.i can see hours spent here.

I had to study the painting in detail along with See the Pretty Baa Lambs and The Awakening Conscience as part of my OU degree.

I remember being swept away by all the imagery. Once I started I just kept spotting stuff....my essays were always over the word limit but my tutor accepted them because everything I said was relevant and she couldn't say which bits should be left out lol.

It was the first time I'd actually looked at paintings in detail because I'd been told at 13 by the school's very respected art teacher that I was rubbish at art and should forget about it. Of course at 13 I took that to mean I was not only rubbish at producing artworks but that I should avoid anything to do with art. Due to that teacher I missed out on so much.

Never listen to a teacher who tells you you are rubbish. Should be on the list of things to tell your daughter.

As a picture, I agree with those who don't like it. As a historical document, it is useful. As a painting showing skill and knowledge of the materials used, it is brilliant.