Maria Anne Fitzherbert (née Smythe)
Joshua Reynolds·1788
Historical Context
Reynolds's portrait of Maria Fitzherbert from 1788 depicts the woman who was secretly married to the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in an illegal Catholic ceremony in 1785. The portrait captures one of the most beautiful and controversial women in Georgian society at the height of her influence over the Prince. Reynolds presents her with characteristic dignity and warmth, avoiding any hint of the scandal that surrounded her relationship with the heir to the throne.
Technical Analysis
Reynolds renders Fitzherbert with his characteristic combination of idealizing warmth and individual characterization. The soft, blended technique and the warm palette create a flattering yet recognizable portrait that conveys both beauty and intelligence.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the warm, soft handling that Reynolds applies to this famous beauty — there is admiration as well as observation in his treatment
- ◆Look at the luminous complexion, achieved through Reynolds's characteristic layered glazing over a warm ground
- ◆Observe the elegant but accessible pose — Fitzherbert is presented without the distance of a purely formal portrait
- ◆Find the handling of hair and dress — fluid, broad, suggesting wealth and fashion without excessive detail
- ◆Notice the expression: intelligent and composed, giving this scandalous subject a dignity that contemporaries might have found surprising
See It In Person
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