Artwork
Lady Sarah Bunbury Sacrificing to the Graces
Lady Sarah Bunbury Sacrificing to the Graces is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joshua Reynolds. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
In 1763 Sir Joshua Reynolds painted a portrait of Sarah Lennox, who later became Lady Sarah Bunbury. Executed in oil on canvas, the work exemplifies Reynolds’s Grand Style, which sought to elevate portraiture through classical references and idealized composition. The painting is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, Lady Sarah, is shown in a pale pink gown extending her hand toward a small sculptural group of two nude figures, suggesting a ritual offering. A younger girl kneels nearby, holding a mirror and a bowl, adding layers of domestic symbolism that hint at themes of virtue, reflection, and feminine grace.
Technique & Style
Reynolds employs a soft chiaroscuro, allowing light to model the figures while the surrounding shadows create depth. The background opens onto a garden with trees and a cloudy sky, rendered with a delicate touch that balances the interior scene with an outdoor vista, characteristic of the Rococo influence in his portraiture.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings after passing through several private collections. Reynolds, a co‑founder of the Royal Academy of Arts, was knighted by King George III in 1769, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in 18th‑century British art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter who specialised in portraits.
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Lady Sarah Bunbury Sacrificing to the Graces