Artwork

Portrait of Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry (1733-1760), Wife of the 6th Earl

Portrait of Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry (1733-1760), Wife of the 6th Earl is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Samuel Cotes. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting is a portrait of Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry, created by Francis Cotes, a prominent English artist and founding member of the Royal Academy. The work exemplifies the Rococo style, characterized by its decorative and ornate elements.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Maria Gunning, renowned for her beauty and high social standing in 18th-century England, as the wife of the 6th Earl of Coventry. Her calm expression and direct gaze convey serenity and dignity.

Technique & Style

Executed in smooth, soft colors, the painting features a pale pink dress with ruffled sleeves and a high neckline against a plain dark background, emphasizing the subject. The overall style aligns with Cotes' Rococo tendencies, though notably in oil rather than his more common pastel medium.

History & Provenance

The portrait is part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection. Specific details about its commission, creation date, or earlier ownership are not provided in the available information.

Context

Created during the mid-18th century, this portrait reflects the artistic and social values of its time, where such works served to highlight the status and beauty of aristocratic subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel Cotes

Francis Cotes (20 May 1726 – 16 July 1770) was an English painter who was one of the pioneers of English pastel painting and co-founded the Royal Academy in 1768.