Mrs. Montague
Samuel Johnson described Elizabeth Montagu as "Queen of the Blues," referring to her leadership of a group of accomplished women known as the Blue Stocking Circle. Reynolds painted her in 1775 and the sitter said of the portrait in a letter, "all people think it very like tho' there is a good deal of flattery in the likeness." Fifteen years before, Montagu began to hold literary breakfasts at her house in Mayfair and these became anticipated social events. Based on Reynold's painting, this print was published in "Shakespeare Illustrated" (London, S & E Harding, 1793).
Artwork Details
- Title: Mrs. Montague
- Series/Portfolio: Shakespeare Illustrated
- Engraver: Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, Florence 1728–1815 Lisbon)
- Artist: After Sir Joshua Reynolds (British, Plympton 1723–1792 London)
- Publisher: Edward Harding (British, Stafford 1755–1840 London)
- Sitter: Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu (British, 1718–1800)
- Date: January 1, 1792
- Medium: Stipple engraving and etching; third state of three
- Dimensions: plate: 6 5/16 x 4 3/8 in. (16 x 11.1 cm) (clipped impression)
sheet: 9 x 5 7/8 in. (22.9 x 14.9 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.3.387
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
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Francesco Bartolozzi
Hans Holbein the Younger
ca. 1794–1802
Francesco Bartolozzi
Hans Holbein the Younger
ca. 1794–1802
Francesco Bartolozzi
n.d.
Multiple artists/makers
1765–1800
Francesco Bartolozzi
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham
1750–1815
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