74 Eighteenth-Century Colour-Prints
it was while she was having an edition of Dante produced, that she caught a fever, and died
on 20th March 1824.
The portrait to which the print owes its existence was presumably painted by
Reynolds in 1787, as we find Lady Elizabeth Foster’s name in the list of his sitters for
April in that year. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1788, at the same time as
“ The Infant Hercules.” The picture is in the possession of the Duke of Devonshire, and
is in a fine state of preservation.
There are four states of the engraving known, not including the coloured im-
pression, which can hardly be called a state, as it is only a variation of the printing and
not of the plate.
State 1. Before all letters.
„ 2. Artists’ names only.
„ 3. Line of publication added: “Publish’d August 10, 1787, by W. Dickinson, New Bond
Street.”
,, 4. Title added in open letters.
I am inclined to believe that impressions were taken in colour from each of these
states, but I have seen nothing earlier than the second. The description “proof” is
always attached to it by owner, dealer, or auctioneer.
Plate V. Friendship.—Cipriani was the painter of this composition, and he partly
superintended the printing in colours both of this and the companion plate. There are
several states, I believe, but I have seen only three. Strangely enough, it is on a second
state—a very fine impression—I have seen written in pencil by a former owner : “ First
proof, given me by Bartolozzi.”
State 1. Title in open letters and line of publication : “Publish’d Augst. 12th, 1782, by W. Palmer,
No. 159, Strand.”
„ 2. Artists’ names added.
,, 3. To this has been added a verse appropriate to the subject, of a poetic fervour equal to the one
to be noted under “ Contentment.” All the states have been printed in colours.
Plate VI. Contentment.—This illustration is in the state later than that of
“ Friendship.” If there is any deficiency in the strength, I am sure the public will find
ample compensation in the accompanying poem !
Plate VII. Lady Smith and her Children (George Henry, Louisa, and Charlotte).
She was the daughter of Sir Francis Blake Delaval, K.B., and married in 1776 Sir Robert
Smith, M.P. for Colchester. Her son George Henry changed his name from Smith to
Smyth. The picture was painted in 1787, and in 1884 it was in the possession of
Mr. Stirling Crawford. It was much damaged by damp, and was sold in that state at
Christie’s for £ 1312.
State 1. Artists’ names and line of publication: “Publish’d Mar. 15, 1789, by F. Bartolozzi
& Co.”
„ 2. With title, “ Lady Smith and her Children.”
„ 3. Title altered to “Lady Smyth,” two Italian lines added, and No. 81 Great Titchfield Street.
„ 3. Printed in colours ; address in line of publication altered to “ Mno. Bovi, No. 207 Piccadilly.”
The alteration to the name did not take place till 1803.