Countess Spencer
1787
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1787
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a portrait of a woman wearing a large white hat with a blue trim. She has light skin, soft curls, and a pale dress with lace details. The background is dark and fuzzy, focusing all attention on her face. The signature at the bottom names her "The Rt. Hon. the Countess Spencer," and the print was made in 1787. Notice how the artist used shading to make her face stand out against the dark background. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other art.
