England, 18th century / after 1788
Portrait of Mary Anne Jolliffe
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait of Mary Anne Jolliffe as painting (England, 18th century · after 1788).
Gainsborough Dupont was the only assistant that his famous uncle Thomas Gainsborough ever took.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Gainsborough Dupont (British, 1754–1797).
The museum's collection notes: The only assistant his famous uncle ever had, Gainsborough Dupont apprenticed with Thomas Gainsborough before setting up his own studio. It is often difficult to distinguish the late works of both artists. This painting is among Dupont’s best portraits. He captures the beauty of his sitter with soft, flickering brushstrokes, detailing her frilly collar and impressive hairstyle, curled and powdered according to the current style. This portrait originally hung alongside that of her husband Thomas in the drawing room of the couple’s home, Ammerdown House in Somerset, where Thomas’s portrait still hangs today.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait of Mary Anne JolliffeOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.