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Paintings

Georgiana (Spencer) Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

1 of 2
Type
Paintings(Opens in new tab)
Date
ca.1775-76
Accession number
25.20
Maker
Joshua Reynolds(Opens in new tab) (British, 1723–1792)
Sitter
Georgiana (Spencer) Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire(Opens in new tab) (British, 1757–1806)
Dimensions
94 1/4 x 58 1/16 in. (239.4 x 147.5 cm.)
Medium
oil on canvas
Description
In this full-legth portrait, Lady Cavendish is depicted on the steps of a terrace, standing next to a balustrade on which she is resting her hand. Transparent cast shadows, from the trees beneath which she stands, fall across her breast and right arm and below her knees. In the background are trunks and foliage and a cloud-flecked, blue sky over a glade in which a statue stands.
Credit
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Department
European Art
Find out more
View in the Art Museum catalog(Opens in new tab)
The Duchess of Devonshire appears exceedingly dignified and reserved, qualities that her mother, who commissioned the painting, would have appreciated. In reality, Georgiana was renowned for her spirited personality and informal manners, creating a sensation with her carefully casual manner of dressing.

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