Artwork
The Hon. Mrs. Gray
The Hon. Mrs. Gray is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Daniel Gardner. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The Hon.
About this work
History & Provenance
It originally belonged to Philip Longmore of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and was sold in 1893 to Peter A.
The Hon. Mrs. Gray is an oil on canvas portrait painted in 1785 by Daniel Gardner. It originally belonged to Philip Longmore of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, and was sold in 1893 to Peter A. B. Widener of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. After Widener’s death the painting passed by inheritance to his son Joseph E. Widener, who gifted it to the National Gallery of Art in 1942.
The work is now in the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.. Its dimensions measure 76 cm by 63.5 cm, confirming its 18th‑century execution.
The painting entered the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. following a 1942 gift from Joseph E. Widener of Elkins Park, who had inherited the work from the estate of Peter A. B. Widener. The elder Widener had acquired it in 1893 through the London dealer Wallis & Son, with the earlier provenance tracing to Philip Longmore (1799–1879) of Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Context
The Hon. Mrs. Gray is an oil‑on‑canvas portrait painted in 1785 by Daniel Gardner. The work measures 76 cm × 63.5 cm and has been part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. since 1942, having previously belonged to Philip Longmore and later to Peter A. B. Widener through inheritance. Its provenance and dimensions are documented in the museum’s records and the painting’s Wikidata entry, which classify it as a portrait within Gardner’s oeuvre.
Overview
The Hon. Mrs. Gray, painted by Daniel Gardner around 1788, is an oil-on-canvas portrait from the late 18th century. It exemplifies the Rococo aesthetic with its delicate yet elaborate qualities. The work showcases Gardner's approach to portraiture, which often drew inspiration from contemporary masters while maintaining his distinct artistic voice.
This painting offers insight into the fashionable society of its era through its depiction of a prominent sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a woman seated, holding a bouquet of flowers, with her left arm resting against a dark, rocky backdrop. She wears a light-toned dress accented by a red sash and a fur wrap draped over her shoulders. Her hair is styled in curls and pinned up, and she gazes slightly to the side with a composed expression.
The vibrant, though subtly muted, flowers introduce a touch of color, contrasting with the warm hues of her attire and the deep background.
Technique & Style
Gardner's use of oil on canvas for The Hon. Mrs. Gray allowed for a rich interplay of strong light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, which enhances the figure's presence against the dark background. The painting reflects the Rococo period's characteristic ornate yet refined flourishes. While Gardner frequently adapted poses from figures like Joshua Reynolds, some contemporary observers noted occasional imprecision in his figure drawing, particularly in facial rendering.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Daniel Gardner (1750 – 8 July 1805) was an English painter, best known for his work as a portraitist.
