ca. 1776 Lady Worsley by Sir Joshua Reynolds (Harewood House, Yorkshire UK)
Lady Worsley is dressed in military style arising from the war the UK was fighting in the North American colonies. The Tate Collection has this about the portrait: "Reynolds showed this portrait at the first exhibition in the Royal Academy's spectacular new home at Somerset House. It was clearly designed to make a strong impression.
Lady Worsley wears a tight-fitting riding costume, adapted from the uniform of her husband's regiment. War with the American colonies had produced a new fashion for women to wear masculine-style clothes, particularly uniforms. Reynolds has responded by adapting the conventions of male portraiture."
The London Times has a good article about this portrait and the woman portrayed. Lady Worsley also made Tart of the Week in The Duchess of Devonshire's Gossip Guide.
Keywords: 1776, Reynolds, British, high long coiffure,
feathered hat, high enclosing neckline, jabot, jacket, lapels, vest, buttons,
vee waistline, close skirt, maxi-skirt, shoes, equestrian dress