| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Charles Turner after Thomas Phillips |
| Published | [1807] |
| Dimensions | Image 305 x 258, Sheet 382 x 278 mm |
| Notes |
A touched proof impression of a half length portrait of Elizabeth, Marchioness of Stafford. Elizabeth is depicted seated, turned slightly to the left, but facing the viewer. She is wearing a headscarf, adorned with a pair of tassels which hang to the right of Elizabeth's face. Her left arm is resting on the edge of a table with a small vase and flowers upon it. She has a simple string of pearls around her neck and a shawl with an embroidered edge over her shoulders. Elizabeth Sutherland Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland (née Sutherland) (1765 – 1839) was born in Edinburgh, the only daughter of William Sutherland, 18th Earl of Sutherland and Mary. Her parents died shortly after her first birthday and as the only surviving child she claimed her father's title and estates. She married George Granville Leveson-Gower, Viscount Trentham in 1785, who in 1803 succeeded to his Father's title and became Marquess of Stafford. Elizabeth is most known for her part in the 'Highland Clearances', which occurred from 1790 - 1855. Elizabeth was also a keen artist producing landscape water colours of her native Scotland, a number of her works are now held in the Tate's collection. Charles Turner (1774-1857) was was an English mezzotint engraver and draughtsman. Hailing from Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Turner moved to London at the age of fifteen. He enrolled in The Royal Academy and, like many other engravers of the time, initially relied upon the patronage of wealthy and influential people. Turner had the considerable backing of the Marlborough family, for his grandmother had been a close companion of the Duchess. This relation led to important commissions. Turner would, for instance, engrave the Marlborough family portrait after the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. He was subsequently employed by the influential publisher John Boydell. Diversely gifted, Turner was as adept in the medium of mezzotint as he was in stipple and aquatint. This leant great scope to the subjects he could depict. Thomas Phillips (1770-1845) was a prolific and fashionable British history and portrait painter. In his lifetime he completed over 700 portraits. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools, finishing in 1791 and briefly working for Benjamin West. He exhibited at the RA between 1792 and 1846 and succeeded Fuseli as professor of painting there. O'Donoghue 5, unrecorded proof impression before all letters, prior to Whitman 539 i/ii. Condition: Chalk markings to robe, face and backdrop highlighting areas to be reworked, mezzotint ground border surrounding image, some foxing and time toning to sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £300.00 |
| Stock ID | 46830 |