Mrs. Grace Dalrymple Elliott by Thomas Gainsborough - 1778 - 234.3 x 153.7cm Metropolitan Museum of Art Mrs. Grace Dalrymple Elliott by Thomas Gainsborough - 1778 - 234.3 x 153.7cm Metropolitan Museum of Art

Mrs. Grace Dalrymple Elliott

oil on canvas • 234.3 x 153.7cm
  • Thomas Gainsborough - 1727 - August 2, 1788 Thomas Gainsborough 1778

Mrs. Elliott was a Scottish lady of great beauty but easy virtue. This portrait of her was apparently commissioned by one of her lovers and lifelong protector, the first marquis of Cholmondeley, and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1778.

Gainsborough moved from Bath to London in 1773, and four years later he was a well established artist, exhibiting portraits of members of the royal family at the Royal Academy. This full-length portrait seems to be inspired by Van Dyck, copying his elegance and delicate coloring.