Mrs. Grace Dalrymple Elliott (1754?–1823)
Thomas Gainsborough, 1778
About this artwork
Step into the elegant world of 18th-century Britain with Thomas Gainsborough's stunning 1778 portrait of Mrs. Grace Dalrymple Elliott, towering full-length oil on canvas measuring over seven feet tall. Captured at the height of her fame as "Dally the," the Scottish beauty's poised figure exudes aristocratic grace, her luxurious gown shimmering under Gainsborough's masterful touch. Exhibited that year at the Royal Academy and likely commissioned by her lover, George James Cholmondeley ( Earl of Cholmondeley), the painting remained in his family for over a century before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art via William K. Vanderbilt's 1920 bequest. Gainsborough's mature style shines here: his fluid, feathery brushwork creates a lively, almost flickering surface, blending Van Dyck's grand tradition with Rococo elegance and keen observation. This synthesis elevated British portraiture, infusing sitters with psychological depth and social presence amid sumptuous fabrics. Grace's scandalous life—romances with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Orléans during the French Revolution—adds intrigue to her dignified portrayal. A companion oval portrait by Gainsborough graces the Frick Collection, underscoring her allure and the artist's enduring legacy in capturing beauty and status.