Miss Elizabeth Phelips, dressed as Diana

Thomas Beach, 1738 - 1806



Miss Elizabeth Phelips, dressed as Diana

Thomas Beach 1738 - 1806

Summary

An upper body portrait of a female figure (presumably Miss Elizabeth Phelips, dressed as Diana) her gaze positioned to the right. She is wearing a low cut white dress with a green girdle, and a green cloak draped over her left shoulder. Her hair is pulled back from her face and is adorned with a string of pearls with crescent. She holds a bow in her left hand, and a quiver of arrows across her right shoulder. She is painted in a woodland setting.

Display Label

Grand Tour and Grand Style The Influence of Travel Improvements in European travel during the 1700s had a wide-ranging impact on British culture. A particularly significant influence was the Grand Tour, which became almost obligatory for young gentlemen. Grand Tourists were led across Europe by tutors to study art, history and politics for two or three years. The Grand Tour focused on Italy, particularly Rome, and often incorporated new archaeological sites such as those at Herculaneum and Pompei, near Naples. Ancient antiquities were heavily trafficked across Europe and continental works of art flooded into Britain. A period of especially active collecting took place between the end of the Seven Years War in 1763 and the rise of Napoleon in the 1790s. As more artists and designers also visited the continent their work became increasingly informed by travel. The serious themes of classical antiquity and European art led to a new departure in painting called the Grand Style. This championed classical, historical or literary subjects, and inspired radical changes in portraiture and landscape. Widespread interest in Greek and Roman remains also fostered fresh interpretations of ancient designs by pioneers of decorative art such as Josiah Wedgwood.


Object Name

Miss Elizabeth Phelips, dressed as Diana

Creators Name

Thomas Beach

Date Created

1770-1780

Dimensions

Canvas: 77cm x 64.3cm
Framed: 94.5cm x 83cm

accession number

1949.255

Place of creation

England

Support

canvas

Medium

oil paint

Legal

© Manchester Art Gallery


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