Louisa Anne Beresford (née Stuart), Marchioness of Waterford

1 portrait

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

by Sir Francis Grant
oil on canvas, 1859-60
35 7/8 in. x 23 1/8 in. (911 mm x 586 mm)
Purchased, 1944
Primary Collection
NPG 3176

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Sitterback to top

Louisa Anne Beresford (née Stuart), Marchioness of Waterford (1818-1891), Watercolour painter and philanthropist. Sitter in 5 portraits, Artist associated with 74 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir Francis Grant (1803-1878), Portrait painter and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 98 portraits, Sitter associated with 21 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Painted twenty years after the event, this portrait of Louisa, Lady Waterford is a nostalgic depiction of her younger self dressed in the medieval-style costume she wore to the Eglinton Tournament of 1839. This full-scale 'recreation' of a Medieval contest, staged by the Earl of Eglinton, was the first grand costume event of Queen Victoria's reign. Lady Waterford's beautiful appearance had been much admired, and it was where she captivated her future husband, now deceased, who was playing a chivalric knight. Commissioned by friends, the painting became a poignant memento of her presence at this remarkable event.