The Countess of Salisbury

Dateca. 1696

Engraver John Smith ca. 1652 - ca. 1742

After work by Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall (trimmed to the plate): 13 1/4 × 9 3/4in. (33.7 × 24.8cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Carl R. Dolmetsch.

Object number1977-301

DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "The Countess of Salisbury/ G. Kneller Eques pinx:/ J. Smith fe:& ex:."Label TextFrances Cecil (née Bennett), Countess of Salisbury (1670-1713) is shown in a three-quarter length pose facing slightly left, but head slightly right in this mezzotint based on her portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller. She is attired in a modest black gown with white collar and wears a long veil towards the back of her head. Her hands are placed one on top of the other. This is believed to a be a mourning picture with the countess grieving the death of her husband James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury (1666-1694) who died in December 1694 and perhaps her mother who was murdered that same year.

See 1977-292 and 1977-302 for other impressions of this print and for an example of the progressive wear of a mezzotint copperplate over the course of its use. Earlier impressions are darker, more detailed, and have more variation in tone. This print is lighter than 1977-292, but darker than 1977-302 impression of the three. The print was originally published around 1696.ProvenanceBefore 1977, Joan Dolmetsch and Carl R. Dolmetsch (Williamsburg, VA); 1977-present, given to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).