To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com

Lady Maria Anne Fitzroy, a daughter of George 4th Duke of Grafton, married in 1810 Sir William Oglander Bt. of Parnham, Dorset. Whether or not it was intended as a marriage portrait, this painting must have been executed not long after that date at around the time their stately home of Parnam being substantially updated by John Nash and may have been intended for its interior. It depicts the young baronet's wife with the graceful bearing and translucent skin that made Lawrence such a prized painter of young women. The mood of the painting is artfully informal, as if Lady Maria, loosely clutching her bag and bonnet, has just rounded a headland towards us. The background itself is more geographically specific than the artist customarily uses in his female portraiture, and is probably intended to represent the Dorset coastline.

Early records would suggest Lawrence included a ship in the background to further emphasise the maritime illusion, but this has been removed, together with some of the margin which has in fact had the effect of intensifying its striking psychological impact. This unexpected shoreline setting, as well as the fact that sitter has not been pressed into one of the conventional poses of ''the beauty'' make Lady Maria Oglander one of the artist's most charming portraits.

As an accomplished handling of the full-length format this portrait can be compared with works such as Mrs John Halkett (Raleigh NC) or Sarah Siddons (Tate Gallery, London).