An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Anne, Countess of Strafford1758–59
Artist: Sir Joshua Reynolds
British, 1723–1792
Portrait of a seated woman head turned to her proper right looking downward at an angle, she wears a white dress with two red jewels at center of dress associated with two strands of pearls and one larger central pearl, a blue cape drapes over proper right shoulder and covers lap.
30 x 24 3/4 x 3/4 in. (76.2 x 62.87 x 1.91 cm) (canvas)
Oil on canvas
Painting
England
18th century
Bequest of Margaret Weyerhaeuser Harmon
In a time when the world was once a canvas brushed with the vibrant hues of nobility and artistry, Lady Strafford emerged as a luminous figure. Born around 1715, she entered this realm cloaked in the privilege of a wealthy noble lineage, a seedling nurtured by wealth and grace. As fate would weave its intricate patterns, she found herself entwined in matrimony with William Wentworth, the illustrious 2nd Earl of Strafford. Together, they stepped into a glittering sphere, mingling with the noteworthy souls of their age.
Among her acquaintances was Horace Walpole, the celebrated author and art historian, known for his discerning eye and poignant prose. He beheld her with admiration—calling her a "vast beauty," a phrase that danced off his pen and into the annals of time. In 1765, he immortalized her charms in a poem brimming with fondness, capturing not just her physical grace but the irresistible aura that surrounded her.
As one gazes upon Lady Strafford’s portrait, one cannot help but feel the reverence it commanded. At least four engravers were drawn to its elegance, creating reproductions that rippled through society like the gentle echoes of a beloved melody. The portrait, the painter, and the radiant lady herself were intertwined, each held in high esteem, creating a tapestry of beauty that still resonates through time.
In this shared space of art and admiration, Lady Strafford’s legacy unfurls—a testament not only to her own splendor but to the artistry that immortalizes the human spirit, reminding us of the exquisite stories we all carry within us.
About the artist
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