The well-endowed Margaret, Countess of Blessington sits wearing a post-Empire-style dress with a sweetheart neckline in this 1822 Lawrence portrait. Her coiffure foreshadows the Apollo knots worn later in the decade.
Keywords: 1822, Lawrence - Thomas, Marguerite of Blessington, Margaret of Blessington, Marguerite Power, Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington, Power family, Gardiner family, Countess, British, knotted coiffure, sweetheart neckline, modesty piece, quarter length puffed sleevs, quarter length puffed sleeves, waist band, Empire low waistline, close skirt, floral bodice ornament, clasps, bracelets, wrap