Lady Lucy Manners was the wife of the second Duke of Montrose. Her portrait is an early work by Ramsay, painted the year after he returned from his first visit to Italy, to start a successful portrait practice in London.
Allan Ramsay (Scottish, 1713 - 1784)
Ramsay, named after his father who was a poet, was internationally renowned for his outstanding portraits. He attended the new Academy of St Luke in Edinburgh and then continued his artistic education in Italy. He visited Rome, studying at the French Academy and Naples. British residents commissioned many portraits from him and as soon as he returned to London he established a successful studio. He also returned to Edinburgh regularly. King George III appointed him King's painter. As a gifted conversationalist and writer of essays, Ramsay pursued his scholarly interests when injury to his right arm in 1773 cut short his painting career.
