A miniature watercolour of the head and bare shoulders of a woman, against a dark background; full face, her gaze directed to the right; wearing a headscarf and gold hoop earrings. With initials, lower left.

The striking diagonal thrust of this portrait, together with the sidelong glance and bared shoulder of its subject, lend a dramatic edge to this watercolour. The colourful headscarf and gold earrings complement the figure’s arresting beauty. This may be an idealised portrait of the actress Florence Reed, who played the part of Aline Graham in the 1914 Broadway production of At Bay, a play written by George Scarborough. Alternatively, it may represent Chrystal Herne, who took the role in the silent film version of 1915.

This is one of two watercolours with actresses as subjects, in the collection of miniature graphic works in Queen Mary's Dolls' House: RCIN 927473 depicts Phyllis Neilson-Terry in the role of Trilby, which was staged at the Apollo theatre, London, in 1922.