REGINALD EASTON (1807-1893) Portrait miniature of Mrs R. J. Maxwell, wearing a red dress with lace shawl and pearl necklace watercolour on ivory original ormolu easel frame with tied ribbon surmount oval, 82 mm (3 1/4 in) high together with Portrait miniature of Miss R. T. Maxwell, her daughter, wearing a white dress with blue sash waistband and blue ribbon choker, landscape background signed and dated 1840 watercolour on ivory chased foliate frame surmounted with floral suspension ring, the reverse glazed to reveal plaited hair oval, 78 mm (3 in) high (2) The present portrait of Mrs Maxwell is thought to have been painted close to her wedding day in 1830. The portrait of her daughter was painted around ten years later. The later portrait with the landscape background shows the development of Easton's style from an almost monochrome background to his more vibrant palette. He became a fashionable artist, particularly known for painting children and was patronised by the aristocracy and the Royal Family.