Jean-Etienne Liotard (Geneva 1702-1789)

Liotard was invited to London by Lord Bessborough in 1753 and remained in the city for two years, enjoying great success. He received commissions for a large number of society portraits, not least a series of pastel portraits of the Royal Family, commissioned by Augusta, Princess of Wales. The English were fascinated by Liotard, partly no doubt to the exotic appearance of his flowing beard, uncut since his travels in the Orient, but primarily due to their admiration for the delicacy and high finish of his portraiture. The identity of the present sitter is unknown, but her costume and hair-ornament are echoed in another English portrait of the period, that of Miss Bacon (England, Private Collection; Roethlisberger and Loche, op. cit., I, p. 443, no. 269; II, pl. 397).