A PORTRAIT believed to be of the wife of Dorset dialect poet William Barnes goes under the hammer in Dorchester next week.

The painting may be only the second known portrait of Julia Barnes.

It has been in the collection of a local family who bought it in the 1950s at a sale of the effects of the Dorchester poet's great-grandson, Colonel Barnes. A paper label on the back of the picture is inscribed with Col Barnes' name.

It is included in an auction by Dukes of Dorchester on Thursday, October 2.

Dukes auctioneer Matthew Denney said: "The balance of evidence suggests this is a rare portrait of Julia Barnes, wife of the great Dorset dialect poet.

"There are still many buyers who are keen to acquire items relating to William Barnes and his wife and we are expecting a great deal of interest in this portrait.

"We have an initial estimate of £400 to £600 on the work and hope it finds a new home with a Barnes enthusiast who will appreciate the historic importance of the work to the county."

Julia Barnes was born in 1805 and costume specialists have confirmed that the frilled cap and broad collar are typical of the first part of the 19th century, as is the wearing of a watch on a long chain.

Mr Denney said there is one known image of Julia Barnes in the Dorset County Museum and there are similarities between the two faces although the museum's portrait shows a younger woman.

William Barnes, one of the county's most famous literary figures, was praised for the use of Dorset dialect in his poetry and he was one of few Victorian writers who recorded rural life of the region.

Julia Barnes received less attention than her husband but she was noted as being a help to her schoolmaster husband.