Lavinia, Countess Spencer (1762-1831), aged 23 or 24

Oil on canvas (unlined); 30 x 25 inches (76.2 x 63.5 cm.)

Painted 1785-86

This newly rediscovered work by Reynolds is a major addition to his oeuvre. It was recorded in the artist's ledger for 1786, but its whereabouts have been unrecorded for over 100 years. Lavinia Bingham, daughter of the Earl of Lucan, married George Spencer, eldest son of 1st Earl Spencer. She was considered beautiful and intelligent, yet highly-strung and vindictive. She and her formidable sister-in-law, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire were notorious enemies. In 1789 Lavinia wrote to her husband As for your sister, she pretends to be always ill to account for her neglect of everybody if I cared a Farthing for her I should be hurt at it but as it is between us I heartily hope she may never trouble herself to come to me again. This painting was one of two commissioned from Reynolds by the sitter's mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess Spencer.