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Woman in Window By Elizabeth Nelson, London, 1777 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10-1/4 in. by 13 in. From a private collection

Woman in Window, detail of label, verso By Elizabeth Nelson, London, 1777 Text of label is as follows: Burnt in Wood. with a Poker by Eliz. Nelson. 1777. Gerard Doris Aunt 5 guineas. Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10-1/4 in. by 13 in. Image by Lisa Karena Weidman

Woman in Window, Pyroengraved inscription on the back of the panel Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10-1/4 in. by 13 in. (26 cm by 33 cm) From a private collection

The above Elizabeth Nelson panel, bears a label on the back in a flowery script that says "Burnt with a Poker by Eliz. Nelson 1777." This panel and another by this artist, dated 1780, were discovered at Bonham's Auction House in Oxford, England.

The pyrographic works of both Elizabeth Nelson and her daughter were noted in a remarkable 19th Century publication—Notes and Queries—in a thread that ensued from a query about the famous Joseph Smith of Skipton Castle whose pyrographic work was from the early 19th Century. Following is what one contributor to the thread—Felix Laurent—wrote in 1868:

It is interesting that Elizabeth Nelson was also mentioned in an article by Charles Dickens (an article now believed to possibly be instead by the famous author's son of the same name) who likely made use of the Notes & Queries information to create his own article, entitled "Odd Pictures."

If you have either any questions to ask or any information to offer regarding this work or another by Elizabeth Nelson, please e-mail the E-Museum Curator.

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