Mary Darby, Mrs Thomas Robinson 'Perdita' (1758-1800)
Mrs Robinson, née Mary Darby, was a famous actress and lover of the 17 year old Prince of Wales. Joshua Reynolds painted several portraits of her, of which this is the earliest example. He chose to show Mary in the costume of Rubens's young and beautiful wife Hélène Fourment, based on a portrait that is now in the Museu Gulbenkian, Lisbon.
1782
Oil on canvas
770.0 x 637.0mm
2621
Where you'll find this
Waddesdon Manor
Permanent collection
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Mary Darby, Mrs. Thomas Robinson, known as ‘Perdita’
Sir Joshua Reynolds at Waddesdon
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1:45
Fountain Bathroom and Bedroom
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