Mary Darby, Mrs Thomas Robinson, ‘Perdita’ (1758-1800)
after Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1775 - 1800
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
760 x 635 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1181074
Caption
Mary Darby was a famous actress, best known for playing the role of Perdita in the 1779 production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. She gained notoriety as the first public mistress of King George IV while he was still Prince of Wales. Her affair with him ended in 1781 amidst much publicity: after threatening to publish the prince's letters, she returned them in exchange for £5000 and a small annuity. This painting derives from one of the many portraits of her by Joshua Reynolds, and may have been copied from an engraving. The theatricality of her costume and the flamboyant red drapery behind her seems highly fitting for her popular reputation and character.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Mary Darby, Mrs Thomas Robinson, ‘Perdita’ (1758-1800), after Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792). A half-length portrait of the actress playing the heroine in William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, looking to her right in a black hat with feather, and a white fichu. Listed as 'Lady Clive' in 1988.
Provenance
Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax, placed on long term loan to the National Trust, then gifted to National Trust on 26th March 1991.
Makers and roles
after Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792), artist Frederick Reynolds (1764-1841), artist