Portrait of Catherine Grey, Lady Manners

Portrait of Catherine Grey, Lady Manners by Thomas Lawrence: The Irish poet Lady Manners rejected as “unflattering” this portrait representing her as the goddess…

What to notice

In Portrait of Catherine Grey, Lady Manners, start with classical, portrait, figurative. Then look closely at this museum-described detail: Thomas Lawrence exhibited the painting at the Royal Academy in 1794 with the label “to be disposed of [sold],” but it was still in the artist’s collection when he died.

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The Irish poet Lady Manners rejected as “unflattering” this portrait representing her as the goddess Juno, symbolized here by the peacock. Thomas Lawrence exhibited the painting at the Royal Academy in 1794 with the label “to be disposed of [sold],” but it was still in the artist’s collection when he died. Though it offended Lady Manners, the painting displays all the hallmarks of Lawrence’s flamboyant style:dazzling, fluid brushwork and an innovative use of unconventional colors that helped secure his role as…