England, early 19th Century / 1801
Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Portrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-Hardy as painting (England, early 19th Century · 1801).
Lawrence was a child prodigy and largely self-taught. At the early age of 10, he made accomplished portraits in crayon.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Thomas Lawrence (British, 1769–1830).
The museum's collection notes: Charlotte (left) and Sarah were 19 and 21, respectively, when this portrait was painted on the occasion of Sarah’s marriage to the topographer Daniel Lysons. The sisters wear fashionable gowns and jewelry, but their affectionate posture conveys a sisterly tenderness that transcends glamour. There was a seemingly insatiable demand for Thomas Lawrence’s portraits representing stylish English society, but he was notoriously slow working. Although this picture was begun in 1801, it still was not finished in 1806 when a friend noted its presence in the artist’s studio.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtPortrait of Charlotte and Sarah Carteret-HardyOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.