A Painting of the Berkeley Family at Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire
This very unusual painting hangs at Berkeley Castle and is described as The Berkeley and Granard Family Group. Painted by Ozias Humphry, who did many portraits of the Craven family, both individually and collectively, it is dated 1780. An inscription in the top right corner names everybody in it. The painting shows us Elizabeth Craven, who was born a Berkeley, in company with her elder sister Georgiana and both of her brothers. And this is not merely a portrait, it is a scene where what is happening is amusing and very typical of Elizabeth Craven. Paintings of Elizabeth's elder sister, Lady Georgiana Berkeley, who became Countess of Granard, are few and far between. This may be the only painting or drawing to survive, and shows us why she was regarded as a beauty. She is tall, fair-haired and commanding, with a perfect classical profile. But is there a touch too much rouge on those cheeks? Queen Charlotte thought so. The dress she is wearing is in the styl...