Mrs. Clark Gayton, 1779, née Elizabeth Legge

Copley employs a contrasting color scheme, with the subject set against a dark background, accentuated by a red curtain and a plant with red flowers. This compositional choice highlights the sitter. The overall style reflects Copley's established portrait technique, blending realism with subtle, suggestive gestures.

Painted in 1790, the work was created during Copley's London period, which began in 1774 after relocating from colonial New England. The painting is now held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

This portrait exemplifies Copley's continued success as a portraitist in London, catering to the elite. The subject's portrayal, with pen in hand, may reflect the Enlightenment values of the time, emphasizing education and personal expression.

As part of Copley's oeuvre, Mrs. Clark Gayton contributes to the artist's reputation for capturing the essence and status of his sitters, making him a pivotal figure in 18th-century portraiture on both sides of the Atlantic.