Isabella, Countess of Erroll
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As does the portrait of the unknown lady, the countess is dressed “à la grec.” Her head cover, perched precipitously on her brown, naturally covered hair, imitates a turban and matches the sash around her waist. Unless she was attending a costume party, which is possible, the countess would also not have worn this costume in public.
Usually, we can tell when portraits are “pendants,” i.e. meant as a pair. Here, it is not clear between the earl and countess. He is indoors, she is partially outdoors. He looks her direction, but she looks out at us. Neither really “notices” or “sees” the other, something also common to pendant portraits.
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In the style of Sir Francis Cotes (1726-1770)
Isabella, Countess of Erroll
Oil on canvas
Mercedes Lipscomb Collection
MSC Forsyth Center Galleries, Texas A&M University
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