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Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby

1790
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 628
The Irish actress Elizabeth Farren made her London debut in 1777 and soon became one of the most popular comic performers of the day. This portrait depicts her as an elegant young woman at the height of her career, before she retired from the stage to marry her aristocratic protector. Lawrence’s bold brushwork captures the sheen of satin and the plushness of fur, but his painting displeased the sitter, who asked the twenty-one-year-old artist to alter the depiction of her unfashionably slender figure.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby
  • Artist: Sir Thomas Lawrence (British, Bristol 1769–1830 London)
  • Date: 1790
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 94 in. × 57 1/2 in. (238.8 × 146.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Edward S. Harkness, 1940
  • Object Number: 50.135.5
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 5007. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby

5007. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby

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More Artwork

More Artwork
Miss Elizabeth Farren, Countess of Derby, Francesco Bartolozzi Italian, Color stipple engraving and etching; fifth state
Miss Elizabeth Farren, Countess of Derby
Francesco Bartolozzi
After Sir Thomas Lawrence
Sitter Elizabeth Farren, Countess of Derby
1792
The Calmady Children (Emily, 1818–?1906, and Laura Anne, 1820–1894), Sir Thomas Lawrence British, Oil on canvas
The Calmady Children (Emily, 1818–?1906, and Laura Anne, 1820–1894)
Sir Thomas Lawrence
1823
Gamba Bow, Wood, British
Gamba Bow
British
first half 18th century
The Spanish Singer, Edouard Manet French, Oil on canvas
The Spanish Singer
Edouard Manet
1860
Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers), Thomas Gainsborough British, Oil on canvas
Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers)
Thomas Gainsborough
1787

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