| Method | Mezzotint |
| Artist | Thomas Watson after Sir Joshua Reynolds |
| Published | London. Published Feb. 10th. 1780. for Watson & Dickinson No.158. New Bond Street |
| Dimensions | Image 410 x 330 mm, Plate 450 x 330 mm, Sheet 510 x 380 mm |
| Notes |
A three-quarter length portrait of Lucy Hardinge. Lucy is depicted standing, looking off to the left. Her right hand is holding onto the paw of a spaniel, which is obediently looking up at the sitter. Lucy is wearing a voluminous dress, secured at the waist with a decorative sash, her hair up decorated with ribbons and pearls. Lucy Hardinge (nee Long) (d.1820) was married to George Hardinge, a English judge, member of Parliament and writer. Lucy was the only daughter and heiress of Richard Long of Hinxton, Cambridgeshire. They had no children but adopted as their son and heir George's nephew. The couple were close friends with their neighbour Horace Walpole. Thomas Watson (1743 - 1781) was a Mezzotinter, who died at the young age of 38. His father of the same name was a printseller at 33 Strand, and survived his son. From 1771 - 79 the son was in partnership with Walter Shropshire and he then took over the business in partnership with William Dickinson. In 1786 Strutt stated that the father had his son's copper plates and sold the greater part of his son's work through sales in 1784 and 1792. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) was one of the most important figures of the eighteenth century art world. He was the first President of the Royal Academy and Britain's leading portrait painter. Through a series of lectures on the Discourses on Art at the Royal Academy he defined the style later known as the Grand Manner, an idealised Classical aesthetic. He had a profound impact on the theory and practice of art and helped to raise the status of portrait painting into the realm of fine art. A flamboyant socialite, Reynolds used his social contacts to promote himself and advance his career becoming one of the most prominent portrait painters of the period. Chaloner Smith 18, ii/iii Hamilton 105, ii/iii, O'Donoghue 3 Condition: Some staining from previous mount, some foxing and time toning to sheet. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £550.00 |
| Stock ID | 46857 |