Who painted Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson?

Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson was painted by Thomas Barker.

Where can I see Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson?

Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson is held by Ashmolean Museum.

Artwork

Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson

Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson is an oil painting by Thomas Barker. It is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Barker’s oil portrait titled Hannah Mary de Cardonnel Lawson is part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents a single female sitter rendered with restrained colour and a muted background, inviting close observation of the subject’s features and demeanor.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a woman with short, curly brown hair, dressed in a dark, high‑necked garment. Her head is turned slightly left, and she gazes directly at the viewer with a neutral expression, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation rather than overt narrative.

Technique & Style

Barker employs a limited palette of earthy tones for the background, allowing the sitter’s complexion and dark attire to stand out. The brushwork is smooth and refined, characteristic of late‑18th‑century British portraiture, emphasizing subtle modelling of facial features over decorative detail.

History & Provenance

Created by the English portraitist Thomas Barker, the work eventually entered the Ashmolean Museum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of British portrait painting. The provenance beyond the museum acquisition is not recorded in the available documentation.