| Method | Stipple engraving printed in colours with additional hand colouring |
| Artist | James Newton after Lady Diana Beauclerk |
| Published | [Published April 5 1779 at Mr. Haynes. Auctioneer, Cockspur Street, opposite Pall Mall] |
| Dimensions | Image 157 x 177 mm, Plate 210 x 270 mm, Sheet 250 x 300 mm |
| Notes |
A rare, colour printed proof, three-quarter length portrait of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire who is seated facing left and looking out, holding a book with her left hand. She is wearing a loose flowing gown while her hair is curled and done up with a bow. This print is made after a drawing by Lady Diana Beauclerk with other engravings made of this image including one by Francesco Bartolozzi. Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (1757 - 1806) was the daughter of Margaret Georgiana Spencer and the 1st Earl of Spencer,the first wife of William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, and mother of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. She was famous in her time as much for her beauty, fashionable style and political campaigning as for her love of gambling, catastrophic love affairs, and marital arrangements. Her marriage was an unhappy one, as the Duke was reserved, often absent, and had many affairs. He had fathered an illegitimate daughter before his marriage, which Georgiana only found out years after she had married William, and when the child's mother died, she took over her care. The couple met Elizabeth "Bess" Foster on a trip to Bath and the two women soon became close friends. The Duke eventually took Elizabeth as his mistress and she moved in with the couple. Despite this, Georgiana and Elizabeth remained close friends throughout their life. After Georgiana's death in 1806, the Duke married Elizabeth. James Newton (c. 1748-1804) was a British engraver who was active in London. He was the father of John William Newton (1785-1869). Lady Diana Beauclerk (1734 - 1808) was a British painter and illustrator. She was the daughter of Charles, 2nd Duke of Marlborough. She was married to Viscount Bolingbroke and then later Topham Beauclerk. O'Donoghue 4 (proof state before the artist name) Condition: Manuscript 'Duchesse of Devonshire' to lower margin. Foxing to sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £350.00 |
| Stock ID | 53305 |