Jane Fleming Countess of Harrington

Born as Jane Stanhope and later Jane Fleming, the Countess of Harrington was the heiress who worked as the Bedchamber lady for the British Queen. This painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds was a representation of her icy self-confidence. This was one of the two portraits of Jane Fleming done by Reynolds. It was done 1788/89.

The two were acquainted when the painting was done, thanks to Jane Fleming Countess of Harrington love of art. The painting was done on canvas using oil. Sir Reynolds was famous for the Rococo style of painting, and this was among his famous painting. It showed the beautiful Jane Fleming outstretching his right hand with a flowing dress, head to toe. The lady was beautiful and had a sense of fashion throughout her life, which is shown in this portrait, and others done by the same artist.

The surrounding should have been of royalty as depicted by the giant vase on her back left. The background shows a cloudy day with the wind blowing through the trees, which is one of the reasons for her posture. Her well-up stature helped in making her persona and was known for her open-heartedness.

Sir Joshua Reynolds is an authority in English Art. He founded and led the Royal Academy of Arts that was instrumental in creating a generation of artists in England and beyond. His love for art was triggered by his elder sister Mary Palmer. Sir Reynolds’ first pupillage was conducted by Thomas Hudson. He also got inspiration from Zachariah Mudge, William Shakespeare, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Richardson and Andre Felibien among others.

His tenure at the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of Artists of Great Britain saw his influence drive the artistic talents of many upcoming painters. They included John Flaxman, Charles Lucy, Laura Herford, George Romney, Dame Laura Knight, Giuseppe Marchi and David Wilkie Wynfield. The most popular painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds was the Age of Innocence (1788) which showed his bias to painting children's portraits. Other famous portraits done around the same time as the Jane Fleming Countess of Harrington included The Family of the Duke of Marlborough (1788), Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington (1788), Lady Caroline Howard (1788), Lady Elizabeth Delme and Her Children (1779).