Lavinia, Countess Spencer as Juno

Sitter Lavinia Spencer, Countess Spencer Irish

ca. 1806

Not on view

Cosway here compliments Lavinia Spencer by awarding her the attributes of Juno, including a tiara and peacock. Love is evoked by Cupid who delivers a heart dangling from a ribbon. The daughter of Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan, the sitter's beauty and intelligence attracted George Spencer, Viscount Althorp and, though she lacked a suitable dowry, the marriage was approved by the groom's parents. Cupid's presence refers to that love match, while the evocation of Juno, protectress of childbirth and domesticity, refers to the couple's twenty-seven year marriage and nine children.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Lavinia, Countess Spencer as Juno
Artist: Richard Cosway (British, Oakford, Devon 1742–1821 London)
Sitter: Lavinia Spencer, Countess Spencer (Irish, Castlebar, County Mayo 1762–1831 London)
Date: ca. 1806
Medium: Graphite
Dimensions: sheet: 12 5/8 x 9 3/8 in. (32.1 x 23.8 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Bequest of George D. Pratt, 1935
Object Number: 48.149.21
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Richard Cosway

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Richard and Maria Cosway

Multiple artists/makers

1784

Ensign Lionel Robert Tollemache (1774–1793), Richard Cosway British, Ivory — Ensign Lionel Robert Tollemache (1774–1793)
Richard Cosway

Cupid and Minerva, Richard Cosway British, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over graphite — Cupid and Minerva
Richard Cosway
1788

Mrs. Robinson as Perdita, Richard Cosway British, Graphite, blue chalk, and watercolor, with touches of gouache (bodycolor) — Mrs. Robinson as Perdita
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1779

Portrait of George, 5th Duke of Marlborough, with Blenheim Palace in the Distance, Richard Cosway British, Graphite and watercolor — Portrait of George, 5th Duke of Marlborough, with Blenheim Palace in the Distance
Richard Cosway
George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough [Marquess of Blandford]
1817–21

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.