Artwork
Anne Elizabeth Cholmley (1769–1788), Later Lady Mulgrave
Anne Elizabeth Cholmley (1769–1788), Later Lady Mulgrave is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Gainsborough Dupont. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting portrays Anne Elizabeth Cholmley, who later became Lady Mulgrave.
About this work
Technique & Style
The portrait of Anne Elizabeth Cholmley is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, a support typical of late-eighteenth-century British portraiture.
The portrait of Anne Elizabeth Cholmley is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, a support typical of late-eighteenth-century British portraiture. The handling reveals Gainsborough Dupont’s fluent brushwork, particularly in the delicate rendering of the sitter’s fichu and lace, where thin glazes articulate texture and light. The composition centers on the half-length figure, employing a restrained yet luminous palette to model form through subtle tonal transitions rather than sharp chiaroscuro.
The restrained formal qualities, including the sitter’s direct gaze and the restrained use of accessories, align with the restrained conventions of portraiture favored by aristocratic sitters of the period. The condition appears stable, with no significant losses reported, and the panel support remains intact.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Anne Elizabeth Cholmley, later Lady Mulgrave, was created in 1780 by the artist Gainsborough Dupont. Executed in oil paint on a panel, the work depicts the subject at the age of eleven. Historical records indicate that the painting was once part of the private collection of Jules Bache.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art currently holds the piece in its collection, where it is cataloged as an oil-on-panel portrait from the late eighteenth century. While specific details regarding the original commission or the immediate chain of ownership between Dupont and Bache are not detailed in the available records, the work's creation date and its subsequent presence in prominent collections establish its documented history.
Overview
This oil painting portrays Anne Elizabeth Cholmley, who later became Lady Mulgrave. Created in the late 18th century, the work offers a formal depiction of the young woman. It serves as a characteristic example of the artist Gainsborough Dupont's portraiture, highlighting his approach to capturing individual likeness and presence through the medium of oil paint.
Subject & Meaning
Anne Elizabeth Cholmley is presented with shoulder-length curly hair and a dark gown accented with white lace. Her right hand, adorned with a ring, rests gently on her chest, conveying a composed demeanor. The inclusion of a lace fichu and shawl further emphasizes the subject's refined taste and social standing, typical of fashionable portraiture from the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gainsborough Dupont (20 December 1754 – 20 January 1797) was a British artist, the nephew and pupil of Thomas Gainsborough, R.A.
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