Miss Frances Beresford
c. 1784/1785
Medium
black, red, and white chalks over graphite on pink washed paper
Dimensions
overall (oval): 24.5 x 19.4 cm (9 5/8 x 7 5/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of The Leger Galleries, London, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Accession Number
1990.109.1
Art Historical Context
John Hoppner’s *Miss Frances Beresford (c. 1784/1785) is a delicate portrait drawing capturing the refined elegance of a young British woman during the late Georgian era. Hoppner, a prominent English portraitist and rival to Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough was known for his soft, luminous style influenced by the Grand Manner tradition. Rising to become Principal Painter to George III, he often depicted the aristocracy with a graceful realism that highlighted their social poise. This oval-format study likely served as a preparatory work or intimate sketch, showcasing Miss Beresford—poss...
About the Artist
John Hoppner · 1758–1810
Comment on works: Portraits