Anne Stewart, née Dashwood, Countess of Galloway (1743-1830) with her daugther, Lady Susan Stewart, later Duchess of Marlborough (1767-1841)

Angelica Kauffmann's portrait of Anne Stewart, Countess of Galloway, with her daughter Lady Susan is one of her many aristocratic commissions from British patrons. Born in Switzerland and trained in Italy, Kauffmann settled in London in 1766 and became a founding member of the Royal Academy, one of only two women among its founding members. Her portraits combined neoclassical elegance with a warmth and psychological sensitivity that her wealthy female sitters found appealing. The Dashwood-Galloway family connection made this a commission in the orbit of English liberal aristocracy that Kauffmann cultivated throughout her London career.

Kauffmann's portrait style is distinguished by its soft, warm palette and the gentle idealization she applies to her female subjects. Drapery is handled with neoclassical simplicity, suggesting ancient dress without pedantic accuracy. The mother-daughter relationship is conveyed through gentle physical proximity and harmonious color.