Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A. Portrait of Elizabeth Gunning

Circle of Sir Joshua Reynolds P.R.A.

Portrait of Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton and Argyll (1733-1790), the celebrated Irish Belle, wearing a green dress and resting her elbow on a book

Oil on canvas, circular

78.5cm; 31in diameter

Elizabeth Gunning was the daughter of John Gunning of Castle Coote, Roscommon, Ireland and was a celebrated beauty. Reynolds painted three very similar portraits in this format:

Mrs. Richard Cumberland -- 1763

Mary Bertie, Duchess of Ancaster - 1757-59

Mrs. Wood -- 1757

Provenance:

The Collection of Charles Brinsley Marlay (1831-1912) [notable collector and major benefactor to the Fitzwilliam Museum], Belvedere House, West Meath, Ireland and by inheritance to

Lt. Col. Charles Howard Bury (1881-1963) [Explorer], Belvedere House and by inheritance to

Rex Beaumont: His sale 'Removed from Belvedere House, Ireland': Christie's, London, Importrant Pictures by Old Masters, 4th December 1964, Lot 59

The Collection of Douglas Wing, Iden, Rye, Sussex

The Collection of Drs. Isobel and Salim Dalali, Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Private English Collection