Letitia Isabella Smith, Countess of Radnor (c.1630-1714)
Mary Beale (Barrow 1633 – London 1699)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
c. 1679
Materials
Oil on canvas laid to board. Carved and gilded wooden frame.
Measurements
124.5 x 99.5 cm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
NT 891304
Summary
Oil painting on canvas. Portrait of Letitia Isabella Smith, Countess of Radnor (c.1630-1714) by Mary Beale (1633-1699) after Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), c.1679. Three-quarter-length and seated in an interior, the sitter wears ermine-lined, red velvet peeress's robes over an elaborately embroidered skirt. She rests her head on her right hand, with her right arm on top of a plinth or shelf, covered by the edge of a purple velvet curtain with gold fringing. Her countess's coronet sits on top of the curtain by her right arm, to the left of composition, with the corner of an architectural detail behind A carved and gilded English Louis XIV style frame c.1740s.
Full description
A portrait of Letitia Isabella Smith (c.1630-1714), the second wife of John Robartes (1606-1685) of Lanhydrock. A three quarter length portrait with her head resting on her hand and wearing peeresses' robes. John Robartes was made Viscount Bodmin and Earl of Radnor in 1679 providing the earliest date for this work. Attributed to Mary Beale, after an earlier portrait by Sir Peter Lely (see NT884964). Set in a carved and gilded English Louis XIV style frame c.1740s.
Provenance
Likely commissioned by the sitters' husband, John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor. Taken to Adlington Hall following the marriage of Lady Isabella Robartes (1674-1725) to John Legh in 1693. Or possibly later gifted to or purchased by the Legh family upon the death of their cousin, the 3rd Earl of Radnor, in 1741 when the Radnor title and Lanhydrock were separated. Thence by descent through the Legh family. Offered for sale by auction at Dreweatts, 22nd Jan 2025, the Adlington Hall sale, lot 249 and purchased by the National Trust for Lanhydrock with support from a National Trust fund set up by the late Simon Sainsbury.
Credit line
Acquired with thanks to funding from the Monument 85 fund.
Makers and roles
Mary Beale (Barrow 1633 – London 1699), artist attributed to Mary Beale (Barrow 1633 – London 1699), artist
References
Adlington Hall, Cheshire - III. The home of Mrs Legh. By Gordon Nares. Country Life, December 12 1952.