Mary Nisbet, Countess of Elgin (1777 - 1855)

Mary Nisbet's dark hair and velvet dress complement her light skin. The artist has carefully defined the delicate ruff of the high lace collar, the touches of gold in the embroidered decoration and her fine jewellery. The portrait was probably painted in Paris where Mary's husband, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, was British Ambassador. She interceded successfully on his behalf when he was imprisoned in 1803, after Napoleon revoked the Treaty of Amiens, ending the temporary peace between Britain and France.