Artwork
Lady Maitland (Catherine Connor, died 1865)
Lady Maitland (Catherine Connor, died 1865) is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Henry Raeburn. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created by Henry Raeburn in 1799, the oil painting serves as a formal portrait of the sitter, who is identified as the main subject of the composition.
The work depicts Catherine Conner, later known as Lady Maitland, who died in 1865. Created by Henry Raeburn in 1799, the oil painting serves as a formal portrait of the sitter, who is identified as the main subject of the composition. The piece captures her likeness within the genre of portraiture, presenting her as the central figure without additional narrative elements or symbolic attributes described in the available records.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the painting, which measures 126.4 cm in height and 101 cm in width. The artwork functions primarily as a visual record of Conner's appearance during the late 18th century, reflecting the conventions of the era's portraiture style.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1799 by Sir Henry Raeburn, this portrait utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 126.4 centimeters in height and 101 centimeters in width, presenting a formal depiction of its subject, Catherine Connor. As a painted portrait, the piece relies on the layering and blending capabilities inherent to the oil medium to render the sitter's likeness.
The classification of the object as a painting confirms the application of pigment to a flexible woven ground, a standard practice for Raeburn during this period. While specific details regarding the current surface condition or the artist's particular brushwork handling are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the fundamental material composition remains defined by the combination of oil pigments and canvas.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Lady Maitland (Catherine Connor, died 1865) is part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn created in 1799. The work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 126.4 cm in height by 101 cm in width. Its current location is the museum’s gallery dedicated to 18th‑century British portraiture.
No accession or inventory number is disclosed in the available documentation, and the sources do not record any exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This oil painting from 1800 by Henry Raeburn depicts Catherine Connor, who would later become Lady Maitland. The work exemplifies the British Romantic movement through its portrayal of a distinguished individual. Raeburn, known for his portraiture, captures the sitter in a formal yet engaging manner, establishing her presence against a subdued backdrop. The painting serves as a significant example of early 19th-century Scottish portraiture.
Context
Created at the turn of the 19th century, this portrait aligns with the broader aesthetics of the British Romantic movement, which often emphasized individual character and emotional depth. Henry Raeburn himself held a prominent position as Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland, underscoring his reputation and the demand for his work among the Scottish elite. The painting thus reflects both a specific artistic trend and the social milieu of its time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Henry Raeburn (; 4 March 1756 – 8 July 1823) was a Scottish portrait painter. He served as Portrait Painter to King George IV in Scotland.
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