Maria, Countess of Waldegrave

1762–64
Not on view
The subject is here shown half-length facing right and wearing a flowered dress and turban, with a plait falling across her shoulder. Maria was painted by Reynolds around 1760-61 wearing a white muslin dress with sprigs of gold foliage and a turban. This costume, inspired by Turkish fashion, was worn by ladies at masquerades at this period. A daughter of Edward Walpole, Maria was married to James Waldegrave, the second earl. After his death, she married George III's brother, Prince William Henry, first Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh. This marriage was initially kept secret from the king.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Maria, Countess of Waldegrave
  • Engraver: Richard Purcell (Irish, Dublin active from 1746, died ca. 1766 London)
  • Artist: After Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, Plympton 1723–1792 London)
  • Publisher: Robert Sayer (British, Sunderland 1725–1794 Bath)
  • Sitter: Maria, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh (British, 1736–1807)
  • Date: 1762–64
  • Medium: Mezzotint
  • Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed close to platemark): 14 in. × 9 15/16 in. (35.5 × 25.3 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Georgiana W. Sargent, in memory of John Osborne Sargent, 1924
  • Object Number: 24.63.1242
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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