Lady Mary Lyon, Daughter of the Earl of Strathmore

This portrait of Lady Mary Lyon at Sheffield records a daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, connecting the portrait to the Bowes-Lyon family that would later produce Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The Lyon family’s Angus estates placed them at the heart of Scottish aristocratic society. Raeburn's distinctive 'square touch' technique applied oil paint in bold, direct strokes without underdrawing, building characterizations through decisive marks that gave his portraits an unusual physical...

Raeburn renders the noblewoman with the elegance appropriate to her rank. His characteristic direct technique is tempered by the graceful presentation expected in female aristocratic portraiture.