This is a major acquisition. It should be handled in a careful manner. It is a pastel painting measuring 14”X10”. With its rococo gilt frame it measures 18”x14”. It is signed by E. A. Burbank in lower right corner. It shows a young woman in her ethnic dress. She has a pleasant, composed mien looking toward the viewer. Her overdress of her right shoulder is blacked trimmed with a stylized golden design. Her shirt is white being exposed, and over this she wears a gold necklace pendant. The color of the shirts covers her neck. She wears a head-dress of red cloth setting well to the back of her head. She is of dark complexion with black hair. Her forehead is prominent. The background is gray. The left side of the face is somewhat shadowed. The right side shows light.

She is not an overwhelming beauty but she is a very lovely person. She is definitely of the patrician class from whatever culture she may come.

Elbridge Ayer Burbank Born 1858 Died 1949. Worked and listed in San Francisco, California. He was a portrait and still life painter. He also painted desert and Indian scenes. This information is derived from his listing in catalogue – Davenport’s Art Reference and Price Guide which belongs to Mrs. xxx. He is listed as having pastels in 1902 and this work no doubt is of the early 20th century.  

I first saw this painting last December when I bought a table from Mrs. xxx. I was attracted to it but I had purchased the table and could with reason not buy anything else at the time. Lee (daughter) and I visited the shop while she was visiting us (July 30th). The painting had not been sold and I was very glad to have the opportunity to purchase it.

When I saw the picture last December (1992), it was hanging high on the wall. I did not examine it closely. It appeared that it was a Slavic woman of middle age. After ownership and close examination, the subject appears to be young and possibly not much over 16 years of age.