14 OF 25 
Catherine Capell-Coningsby (née Stephens), Countess of Essex
14 of 25 portraits on display in Room 19 at the National Portrait Gallery
Catherine Capell-Coningsby (née Stephens), Countess of Essex
by John Jackson
oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1822
30 1/4 in. x 25 1/4 in. (768 mm x 641 mm)
Transferred from Tate Gallery, 1957
Primary Collection
NPG 702
Click on the links below to find out more:
Sitterback to top
- Catherine Capell-Coningsby (née Stephens), Countess of Essex (1794-1882), Actress and singer; wife of 5th Earl of Essex. Sitter associated with 11 portraits.
Artistback to top
- John Jackson (1778-1831), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 230 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The Countess of Essex first made her mark as Mandane in Artaxerxes at Covent Garden in 1813. A leading soprano, with a 'full, rich, round and lovely' voice, she was also an actress of distinction until her retirement in 1835. Three years later, she married the octogenarian 5th Earl of Essex. She is seen in this charming portrait by Jackson holding a musical score.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 162
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 209
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On display in Room 19 at the National Portrait Gallery
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