After Sir Joshua Reynolds, P.R.A.

The present work is a head and shoulders copy after the three-quarter length portrait by Reynolds of a lady in the guise of Diana, historically identified as Lady Anne Dawson, which was sold at Christie's in London, 11 November 1999, lot 1 (Mannings, no. 495). Comparing the physiognomy in that portrait with an earlier, securely documented and engraved portrait of Lady Anne Dawson by Reynolds (sold in these rooms, 29 July 2020, lot 153 - Mannings, no. 494), in which the sitter is also portrayed in the guise of the goddess Diana, Mannings pointed out that the sitters appeared to be quite different women.¹

However, a plaque on the frame of the present painting, as well as an old label on the reverse, identifies the sitter as the Duchess of Manchester. Comparing the physiognomy of the sitter's face in this and the original portrait (Mannings, no. 495) to that in Reynolds' full length portrait of Elizabeth Montagu, Duchess of Manchester with her son, George Montagu, Viscount Manderville in the guise of Diana disarming Cupid (Wimpole Hall, National Trust - Manning, no. 1271) there does appear to be a close resemblance. Reynolds' sitters book records fifteen appointments with the Duchess of Manchester over a five year period, which suggests that he could well have painted more than one portrait of her. However, the early provenance of both this painting and the original portrait upon which it is based (Mannings, no. 495) are unknown, providing no further clues as to the origin of this identification.  

^1. See D. Mannings, Sir Joshua Reynolds. A Complete catalogue of his paintings, New Haven and London 2000.