Artwork

Her Royal Highness Princess Louisa Anne

Her Royal Highness Princess Louisa Anne, by Richard Houston, ink, 1748
Her Royal Highness Princess Louisa Anne, by Richard Houston, ink, 1748

Her Royal Highness Princess Louisa Anne is an ink print by the Baroque artist Richard Houston. It dates from 1748 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Her Royal Highness Princess Louisa Anne is a mezzotint print created by Richard Houston in 1748, portraying a young girl in a formal, ornate attire against a dark background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is Princess Louisa Anne, depicted as a youthful figure with light hair, adorned in a ruffled neckline dress and a wreath-like headpiece, conveying regal and youthful elegance.

Technique & Style

Executed in mezzotint, a technique involving etching on a copper plate to achieve tonal ranges, the print features subtle, nuanced shading, with the artist's signature discreetly placed in the corner.

History & Provenance

Created in 1748 by Richard Houston, specific ownership or exhibition history prior to its current status is not detailed in available information.

Context

Reflecting 18th-century portraiture conventions, the work combines formal regal representation with the softer aspects of youth, typical of the period's approach to depicting royalty.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.