Petworth Beauties
The 6th Duke of Somerset followed a trend of the era by commissioning portraits for
A ‘Beauty Room’ at Petworth House. The sitters all Duchesses and Vicountesses were
chosen for their beauty and association with the court of Queen Anne (1702-1714).
Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) painted Sarah Jennings and the remaining seven, Jane
Temple, Julia Allington, Mary Somerset, Rachel Russel, Anne Capel, Barbara Talbot
and Margaret Sawyer were painted by the Swedish Portrait painter Michael Dahl (1659-1743).The
gracefully posed Petworth Beauties with their skilfully placed draperies possess
a decorative and languid glamour. The Carolyn Kirkland ‘Beauties’ are selected from
life drawing studios in Sussex. The sitters in deshabille have fashion characteristics
linked to Queen Anne by scooped necklines, ringlets, ribbons, bows and embroidered
fabrics.