Portrait of Lady Elizabeth Keppel, 1762

Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (1723 - 1792)

RA Collection: Art

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This mezzotint by Fisher reproduces a portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds showing Lady Elizabeth Russell (née Keppel), Marchioness of Tavistock (1739-1768), adorning a statue of Hymen, the god of marriage ceremonies. Russell is depicted wearing the embroidered dress that she wore as a bridesmaid at the wedding of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelitz in 1761. She is accompanied by a Black attendant who is thought to have been one of her servants but neither her name nor her status are recorded. Reynolds noted in his Sitters' book eight appointments with Lady Keppel and, shortly afterwards, two sittings inscribed only with the word ‘negro’, very likely referring to the woman depicted here. The painting was exhibited at the Society of Artists in 1762.

Lady Elizabeth Russell was the daughter of Sir William Anne van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle and Lady Anne Lennox. She married Francis Russell, Marquess of Tavistock, in 1764. Her father-in-law was the Duke of Bedford, a Whig politician who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1757-61 and negotiated the treaty that ended the Seven Year’s War in 1763. Reynolds’ portrait of Lady Russell was commissioned by her brother George, 3rd Earl of Albemarle (1724-1772). At this time, George Keppel was a Lieutenant General in the British Army and the governor of Jersey. Shortly after the portrait was painted, he led the British forces at the Battle of Havana which resulted in Spain surrendering the city, one of the wealthiest ports in the Caribbean.

The print was produced shortly after the painting was finished and was sold for the high price of 15 shillings. This impression is an example of the third state of the print.