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Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen
Georgiana (Spencer) Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire
Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen
Photography © 2015 Fredrik Nilsen

Georgiana (Spencer) Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

Maker (British, 1723-1792)
Sitter (British, 1757 - 1806)
Collections
ClassificationsPAINTINGS
Dateca.1775-76
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions94 1/4 x 58 1/16 in. (239.4 x 147.5 cm.)
DescriptionStanding to the right, on the steps of a terrace, full-length, three-quarters left, her eyes turned to the front; one foot advanced, her right hand on the corner of a balustrade. Her left hand by her side, holding the folds of her gown. Mouse-colored hair, dressed high and braided, with pink and white feathers and pearls, and a curl hanging on the left side of the neck. Brown eyes, tiptilted nose and roguish mouth. She wears an ivory-white gown, gold epaulettes and sash, and a gold gauze scarf over her right shoulder. Transparent cast shadows, from the trees beneath which she stands, fall across her breast and right arm and below her knees. Background of trunks and foliage on the left, and cloud-flecked, blue sky over a glade in which a statue stands.
Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Label TextThe Duchess of Devonshire was renowned for spirited personality, informal manners, and studied casualness of dress. Here, however, she appears exceedingly dignified and reserved. These are qualities that her mother, who commissioned the painting, would have appreciated, but that did not actually characterize her daughter. The duchess created a sensation with her careless manner of dressing, but Reynolds portrays her with stately propriety. She bears a quiet expression and makes calm, graceful hand gestures. Even the ostrich plumes in her hair, which were known to reach towering heights, have been restrained.
Status
On view
Object number25.20