Juliana (Howard), Baroness Petre

Maker Thomas Gainsborough (British, 1727-1788)

SitterSitter: Juliana (Howard), Baroness Petre (British, 1769 - 1833)

Collections

Grand Manner Portraiture

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1788

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 88 3/4 × 57 1/4 in. (225.4 × 145.4 cm.) frame: 105 1/2 × 73 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (268 × 187.3 × 21.6 cm.)

DescriptionThis is a full-length portrait of Lady Petre (1769-1833) from Yorkshire, who was known for her intelligence, vivacity, beauty, and style.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextThis portrait, one of the last Gainsborough painted before his death, features some of his most dazzling brushwork. Lilting arabesques of yellow paint convey the transparency of Lady Petre’s gauzy scarf, while energetic slashes create shimmering highlights. The vigorously painted landscape echoes the effects of the drapery, with streaks of light glimmering amid stormy clouds and dense foliage. Gainsborough presents the sitter, a glamorous teenage newlywed renowned for her style and beauty, in a striking blue petticoat, a black fringed shawl, and oversized black hat. He accentuates the slenderness of her waist by giving a pointed center to the sash wrapped around it, and by amplifying the contrasting fullness of her skirt.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number11.25