| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Richard Earlom after Sir Peter Lely |
| Published | Published Sepr. 29th. 1776 by John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside London. |
| Dimensions | Image 376 x 288, Plate 403 x 288 mm, Sheet 435 x 295 mm |
| Notes |
An almost full-length portrait of Anne Wharton, Marchioness of Wharton. Anne is depicted seated facing the viewer. She is twisted to the left with her left hand supporting her and her right hand lifted pointing off to the right. Her long flowing hair is draped over her right shoulder and her voluminous dress is loosely secured, falling off her shoulders. Anne Wharton (née Lee)(1659 - 1685) was an English dramatist and poet. Born in Oxfordhire, Anne was the youngest daughter of Sir Henry Lee who died before she was born. She was raised with her siblings by her Uncle, the poet John Wilmot at his home at Adderbury House. She married Thomas Wharton in 1673 but it was an unhappy relationship. While living separately, Anne frequently visiting Paris for her poor health. She is thought to have written up to 45 works from lyrical poetry to biblical passages, but only one of her works was published, under a pseudonym, within her own lifetime. In 1997, a book was published of all her known works but more poetry, attributed to Anne, has since been discovered. Richard Earlom (1743 - 1822) was a British painter, draughtsman and printmaker. He was born in London, and was apprenticed to Giovanni Battista Cipriani after he was discovered making sketches of the Lord Mayor's coach. This natural faculty for art manifested throughout Earlom's career, and he is believed to have taught himself the technique of mezzotint. In 1765, Earlom went to work for Johnathan Boydell, who commissioned the artist to produce a large series of works from Sir Robert Walpole's collection at Houghton Hall. This pair of mezzotints constituted part of this series. His works after van Huysum, as well as the still-life painter Jan van Os, are widely recognised as his most striking. Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) was the portrait painter and principal artist to Charles II. Born of Dutch parents, he trained in Haarlem, and came to London in the 1640s, where he quickly established a reputation as a portraitist. In 1680 he was appointed Principal Painter at the Restoration and knighted. Lely was prolific, and easily the most fashionable painter of his time. He was known for his high living as well as his celebrated collection of paintings and drawings. Pepys called him 'a mighty proud man, and full of state'. Chaloner Smith 42, ii/iii, O'Donoghue 1, NPG D27632 Condition: 17 mm margin to top and bottom, 3mm margin to sides, crease to top right corner. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £280.00 |
| Stock ID | 46823 |