Artwork
Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy
Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Thomas Lawrence. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret‑Hardy, painted by Thomas Lawrence in 1801, is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 129 × 103 cm.
The Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret‑Hardy, painted by Thomas Lawrence in 1801, is an oil on canvas portrait measuring 129 × 103 cm. It portrays sisters Charlotte Savery Hardy and Sarah Hardy. Lawrence executed the work as a commissioned likeness of the sisters, reflecting early‑nineteenth‑century British portraiture. After its creation the painting entered the possession of John Long Severance, later passing to Elisabeth Severance Prentiss and then to Charles Thomas Daniell Crews before the Cleveland Museum of Art acquired it.
The work remains on display at the museum, preserving its provenance from the original sitters through successive private owners.
The Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. The work, created by Thomas Lawrence in 1801, is cataloged under the accession number 1942.642. This oil-on-canvas painting, which depicts Charlotte Savery Hardy and Sarah Hardy, entered the museum's holdings in 1942 following a transfer of ownership that previously included John Long Severance, Elisabeth Severance Prentiss, and Charles Thomas Daniell Crews.
The source material confirms the museum's location and the specific inventory number assigned to this 1801 portrait, though no specific exhibition history or past display dates are recorded in the provided documentation.
Overview
Thomas Lawrence, a prominent English artist, completed Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy in 1801. This oil painting captures the likenesses of two young women, Charlotte Savery Hardy and Sarah Hardy. Lawrence's skill in portraiture established him as a leading figure in British art during the early 19th century, a reputation further solidified by his later presidency of the Royal Academy. The work exemplifies the refined aesthetic of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents Charlotte Savery Hardy and Sarah Hardy seated together, their close relationship suggested by Sarah's hand resting gently on Charlotte's arm. Charlotte, on the right, is depicted in a white gown with a striking red necklace, holding a black fan. Sarah, on the left, wears a dark dress with white trim.
Both figures possess serene expressions and delicate features, conveying a sense of youthful grace and composure typical of formal portraiture of the era.
Technique & Style
Lawrence's command of oil paint is evident in this neoclassical portrait. He employs a refined palette and smooth brushwork to render the sitters' soft skin and elegant attire. The artist skillfully uses light, known as chiaroscuro, to illuminate their faces and highlight details like Charlotte's vibrant red necklace against her pale dress, making them stand out from the subdued, dark background. This technique draws the viewer's focus directly to the subjects, emphasizing their presence.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Thomas Lawrence (13 April 1769 – 7 January 1830) was an English painter who served as the fourth president of the Royal Academy.
Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby
Lady Mary Templetown and Her Eldest Son
Lady Maria Conyngham (died 1843)
The Calmady Children (Emily, 1818–?1906, and Laura Anne, 1820–1894)
John Julius Angerstein (1736–1823)
Francis Charles Seymour-Conway, 3rd Marquess of Hertford
Portrait of Catherine Grey, Lady Manners
Mrs. Robert Blencowe
The Frankland Sisters
Anna Maria Dashwood, later Marchioness of Ely
Anna Maria Dashwood, later Marchioness of Ely
Portrait of Mrs. Andrew Reid
Mrs. Dottin
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of Mary Anne Bloxam (later Mrs. Frederick H. Hemming)
Daughters of Sir Thomas Frankland Bart (The Sisters)
Caroline of Brunswick (1768–1821), Queen of George IV- Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy