Rachel, Countess of Southampton
Item
Title
Rachel, Countess of Southampton
Creator
James McArdell
British, c. 1729–1765
After Anthony van Dyck
Flemish, active in England, 1599–1641
British, c. 1729–1765
After Anthony van Dyck
Flemish, active in England, 1599–1641
Date
1758
Materials
Mezzotint, second state of four
Measurements
plate: 18-3/8 x 13-7/8 in. (46.6 x 35.3 cm), sheet: 21 x 16-3/4 in. (53 x 42.6 cm)
Description
McArdell’s subject here is Rachel de Ruvigny (1603–1640), who was the first wife of Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton. He engraved the mezzotint after a painting from around 1640 by Anthony van Dyck, the second of two nearly identical portraits, which depicts the countess as the Roman goddess Fortuna. The sphere upon which her left arm rests indicates the random nature of fate: it can roll in any direction.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Given in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Milton J. Goodfriend
Identifier
2004.15
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.