Lucy Harington, Countess of Bedford (1581-1627)
after Johannes Priwitzer (fl.1627-1647)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1620 - 1629
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1473 x 1029 mm (58 x 40 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129113
Caption
Lucy Harington was the daughter of John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton (1541-1613). She married the 3rd Earl of Bedford in 1594. She was most famous as a friend and patron of Ben Jonson and took part in several of his masques. He wrote of her: “I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet, Hating that solemn vice of greatness, pride: I meant each softest virtue there should meet, Fit in that softer bosom to reside. Only a learned and a manly soul I purposed her; that should with even powers The rock, the spindle, and the shears control Of destiny, and spin her own free hours!” Other versions of this picture (Coombe Abbey and Woburn) were all previously attributed to Honthorst, but this is impossible on grounds of dating.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Lucy Harington, Countess of Bedford (1581-1627), after Johannes Priwitzer (fl.1627-1647), 1620s. Nearly full-length portrait, seated slightly left, wearing a dark brocade dress, white lace ruff and cuffs, coronet, a handkerchief in her left hand, her head resting on her right. Diaper pattern in background of Harington knots and roses.
Provenance
In 1817 Welbore Agar-Ellis, Hardwick Hall catalogue; by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: on frame Lucy Harington Countess of Bedford Verso: Inscribed in bold black on stretcher: No 43. D Labels (of restorer?): Smith / Nottingham / Apl.3/97
Makers and roles
after Johannes Priwitzer (fl.1627-1647), artist