Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope (1776-1839) traveller

Location

Country: Lebanon
City: Beirut
Place: British Embassy

David Wilkie was born in Fife; the son of a vicar. He attended the Trustee’s Academy in Edinburgh from 1799 and enrolled at the Royal Academy Schools in 1805. In the following year he received a commission for ‘Village Politicians’, which was hung in a prime position at the Royal Academy exhibition and attracted further important patrons. He was elected a full member of the Academy in 1811. His most widely-known work, ‘Chelsea Pensioners’, was commissioned by the Duke of Wellington in 1820. Wilkie was appointed the King’s Painter in Ordinary in 1830. In 1840, he travelled to the Holy Land to gather material for biblical subjects. On the return journey he suffered a sudden illness and died. He was buried at sea, off the coast of Malta.

People

Mary Moore

Places

Middle East, Lebanon

Subjects

orientalism, female portrait, 19th century costume, fan, diplomat

Materials & Techniques

lithograph

Artist

Sir David Wilkie (1785 - 1841)

Title

Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope (1776-1839) traveller

Date

1841

Medium

Lithograph

Dimensions

height: 43.50 cm, width: 32.50 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from the Fine Art Society, October 1981

Provenance

With Daniel Shackleton (fine art dealer) of Dundas Street, Edinburgh; from whom purchased (with original drawing inscribed ‘Beyrout Feby 15th 1841’) by the Fine Art Society, London, in December 1977; from whom (lithograph only) purchased by the Government Art Collection in October 1981

GAC number

15242