May's topic is "Costumes and Calendars" wherein we were going to look at the years in which the novels are set (using details like dress and other trivia that JA hints at, as well as the established calendars that have been worked out) and see how they might match with the movie interpretations, etc.So this question is very pertinent!

Okay, so we have a portrait of the young-ish Mr Darcy in P&P2. Are we assuming a date of 1811 for the setting of the book? If so, how old do you think Mr Darcy was when his portrait was painted, bearing in mind that he's 28 when the book finishes? Do you think it was done for a special occasion, such as his 21st Birthday? Can we date the painting to 1803?

As for the painter- who might it be? The portrait's stance is very "classical", isn't it? It's very similar in style to the portrait of Edward Austen Knight painted in Italy. Do you wish to venture a guess as to which country it came from , Patrizia?