Lady Charlotte Harley, later Lady Charlotte Bacon (1801-1880), as Hebe
Richard Westall, RA (Reepham 1765 - London 1836)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
c. 1811 - 1836
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1130 x 1400 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
NT 593154
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Lady Charlotte Harley, later Lady Charlotte Bacon (1801-1880) as Hebe by Richard Westall, RA (Hertford 1765 - London 1836), circa 1821. Labelled on the reverse: 'Richd Westall R.A. No 4 portrait of a young lady of (?) twenty'. Full-length portrait of a young woman, kneeling to the right, head turned to the left, in a white dress, a golden bowl held in her left hand from which an eagle is drinking, her right hand held up to a pair of doves. Hebe and the eagle of Zeus was a common theme in the 18th century, flattering the sitter by insinuating that she shares Hebe's youth and beauty. She was the cupbearer to the gods and frequently illustrated with a jug in one hand from which she has just poured nectar into a cup. Daughter to Zeus and Hera, she was goddess of youth and according to myth married Hercules after his ascent to Olympus.
Provenance
Originally described by Frank Green in the Treasurer's guidebook as "Lady Oxford by Westall". A work by this title was sold by Christies 11 June 1892 (lot 89): "Property of a Gentleman". Gifted to National Trust as part of the contents of Treasurer's House in 1930.
Credit line
Treasurer’s House, York, The Frank Green Gift (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Richd Westall R.A. No 4 portrait of a young lady of (?) twenty (old label on reverse)
Makers and roles
Richard Westall, RA (Reepham 1765 - London 1836), artist