Catherine Stephens, Countess of Essex (1795-1882)
George Henry Harlow (London 1787 – London 1819)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1805
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
785 x 695 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
NT 196011
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Catherine 'Kitty' Stephens, Countess of Essex (1795-1882), by George Henry Harlow (London 1787 – London 1819), circa 1805. A quarter length portrait of Catherine Stephens, turned to the right and gazing at the spectator. She wears a white dress bound with red, blue and gold cord and sits against a plain background.
Full description
Oil painting on canvas, Catherine 'Kitty' Stephens, Countess of Essex (1795-1882), by George Henry Harlow (London 1787 – London 1819), circa 1805. A quarter length portrait of Catherine Stephens, turned to the right and gazing at the spectator. She wears a white dress bound with red, blue and gold cord and sits against a plain background. Catherine Stephens, often known as Kitty Stephens, was a vocalist and actress and was said to be in possession of the sweetest soprano voice of her time. She was second wife of George Capel-Coningsby (5th Earl of Essex). They married in 1838 when she was 44 and he was 81. The 5th Earl died a year later and she lived a further 43 years. George Henry Harlow was a popular figure in society during his time. He was born in London and recorded as being headstrong and impatient with a flamboyant dress sense, which earned him the nickname of Clarissa Harlowe. He received his early training from Sir Thomas Lawrence (amongst others), though his studies for which he paid a great sum consisted entirely of copying and occasionally assisting with the master's work. Harlow fell out with Lawrence after less than 2 years but not before he had absorbed a great deal of Lawrence's style, and he first exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1804. Primarily known as a portraitist, Harlow travelling to Italy in 1818 to study the old maters, and in Rome was honored with being named an Academician of Merit at the Academia di San Luca. He died the following year shortly after his return to England.
Provenance
Gifted to the National Trust by Sir Felix and Lady Elizabeth Brunner, along with Greys Court House and Estate, 1969.
Credit line
Greys Court, The Brunner Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
George Henry Harlow (London 1787 – London 1819), artist