Georgiana (Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire
Medium
mezzotint
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.4670
Art Historical Context
Behold the enchanting portrait of *Georgiana (Spencer), Duchess of Devonshire*, a 1780 mezzotint by master engraver Valentine Green, faithfully reproducing Sir Joshua Reynolds' celebrated oil painting. Georgiana, one of the most iconic figures of 18th-century British high society, captivated the era with her beauty, wit, and influence. As a leading Whig hostess and fashion trendsetter, she embodied the elegance and political intrigue of Georgian England, rubbing shoulders with royalty and revolutionaries alike. Reynolds, president of the Royal Academy and pioneer of the Grand Manner style, ca...