Complex sentence: When the picture was painted the age of consent in England was just 12 and the girls, approaching womanhood, are more finely dressed than they need be, with fancy collars, cuffs and jewellery more appropriate to adults.
Split into simpler sentences: When the picture was painted the age of consent in England was just 12. The girls, approaching womanhood, are more finely dressed than they need be, with fancy collars, cuffs and jewellery more appropriate to adults.