18th Century Oil Painting British Countess of Guildford Lady Lucy Montagu – Circle of John Vanderbank

Details

Description

Early British 18th-Century Oil Portrait Painting of Lady Lucy Montagu, Countess of Guilford (Circle of John Vanderbank, c.1734)
Subject & … Read more Early British 18th-Century Oil Portrait Painting of Lady Lucy Montagu, Countess of Guilford (Circle of John Vanderbank, c.1734)
Subject & Medium
An elegant and historically significant early 18th-century oil on canvas depicting Lady Lucy Montagu (1709–1734), later Countess of Guilford. She is portrayed quarter-length within an oval, her gaze directed confidently toward the viewer. The sitter wears a dark, low-cut gown with striking crimson and white striped ribbon sleeves and a delicate feathered headdress adorned with pearls. Her fair complexion, softly lit with gentle highlights, reveals a poised expression of refinement and quiet strength.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: Circa 1734
Composition & Technique
Set against a warm, muted brown and golden-toned background, the portrait employs a controlled and harmonious palette of deep blacks, flesh tones, soft greys, and vermillion accents. The oval format enhances her presence and confers a sense of intimacy and aristocratic formality.
The painter—working in the Circle of John Vanderbank—demonstrates excellent technical control. The brushwork is smooth and refined, particularly in the modelling of her face and neckline, where careful tonal transitions create depth and volume. Textures such as silk fabric, pearl embellishments, and feather trim are confidently rendered with precision and subtlety. The sitter’s unwavering gaze conveys noble self-assurance, emphasizing her elevated social status.
About the Sitter: Lady Lucy Montagu (1709–1734)
Lady Lucy Montagu was the daughter of George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax. She married Francis North, who became the 1st Earl of Guilford, and was mother to Frederick North, Lord North, Prime Minister to King George III during the American Revolutionary War.
Though her life was brief—she died in 1734 following the birth of her second child—Lucy Montagu’s legacy endured through her prominent lineage and appearances in notable portraits by leading artists such as Sir Godfrey Kneller and Enoch Seeman.
Attributed Circle of John Vanderbank (1694–1739)
John Vanderbank was one of the foremost English portraitists of the early Georgian era. Trained under Jonathan Richardson and influenced by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Vanderbank was celebrated for his dynamic compositions, psychological insight, and elegant rendering of fabric and form. His works were praised for their expressive vitality, qualities clearly echoed in this example from his circle.
Frame
Presented in an ornate gilt period-style rectangular frame with an oval aperture. The frame features layered mouldings and floral motifs, enhancing the work’s grandeur and historical resonance.

Frame Dimensions:
Height: 43.5 cm
Width: 39 cm
Depth: 4 cm

Provenance
Sourced from a reputable auction house in the southern English Shires. Currently held by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, a specialist in museum-grade British portraiture and historically important fine art. Accompanied by a museum exhibition label.
Why This Portrait Is Exceptional
Rare, original early 18th-century portrait of a notable aristocratic sitter
Excellent example from the Circle of John Vanderbank
Expressive pose and richly detailed attire
Direct link to key figures in British political history
Ideal scale for refined interior display or private collection
Professionally conserved with historical integrity
Highly desirable for collectors of Georgian portraiture

A rare opportunity to own a finely executed portrait of a prominent early historical noblewoman.
Explore more curated works at Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
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