18th Century Portrait Of The Duchess Of Newcastle By Charles Jervas (1675-1739)

Portrait of Henrietta Pelham-Holles (née Godolphin) (1701-1776), Duchess of Newcastle, standing in a wooded landscape with a river beyond, three-quarter length wearing an ivory silk dress holding a sprig of flowers in her hand . Inscribed lower left 'Duchess of Newcastle' with a family crest above.

Henrietta Pelham-Holles was the wife of British Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She was the daughter and co-heiress of Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin and granddaughter of Sidney Dodolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin and Sarah and John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Until her marriage in 1717 she was known as Lady Harriet Godolphin. Together with her husband, she was an active Whig and supporter of the Hanoverian succession. The Duchess died on 17 July 1776 and was buried alongside her husband at Laughton.

Charles Jervas was born in Ireland in 1675. He was trained by Godfrey Kneller in London and Rome, returning to London in 1709, establishing a successful practice in portraiture before becoming painter to King George I after Kneller's death in 1723. Henrietta and her husband had their portraits painted by Jervas (National Portrait Gallery, London). His sitters also included intellectuals of the time such as friends Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope (National Gallery, London). Jervas lived in London until his death in 1739.