Image: CharlesJamesFox ByJoshuaReynolds

Description: 1762 Mezzotint "Ladies Sarah Lenox and Susan Strangeways, with Charles James Fox". Triple portrait of a young Charles James Fox (1749-1806) standing beside his first cousin Lady Susan Fox-Strangways (1743-1827) at a corner of Holland House, both three-quarter length, Lady Susan holding dove in her hands; with his aunt Lady Sarah Lennox (1745–1826) (his mother's youngest sister) leaning out of window above, towards her; after Sir Joshua Reynolds. British Museum, 1832,1211.77. See: Liechtenstein, Princess Marie, Holland House, 2 Vols., London, 1874, p.81: Lady Sarah Lennox and Charles James Fox acted together in private theatricals at Holland House. The painting is described by Mary Fox (Princess Marie of Liechtenstein) (1850-1878), adopted daughter of Henry Fox, 4th Baron Holland (1802-1859) of Holland House, in her History of Holland House (Liechtenstein, Princess Marie, Holland House, Vol.2, London, 1874, pp.43-4): Lastly, we come to the ftxr-famed picture of Lady Sarah Lennox, Mr. Fox (Charles James), and Lady Susan Strangways. Lady Sarah Lennox, a beautiful girl, is leaning out of a window of Holland House, whilst C. J. Fox, at the time only thirteen or fourteen years old, is walking below with Lady Susan Strangways, who offers a dove to Lady Sarah. Of the three figures. Lady Sarah's is the most graceful. But the charm of the picture, to our mind, lies in the originality of the grouping, and in its subdued, harmonious colouring — subdued, without being monotonous, though the proximity of the background, by occasioning defective perspective, makes a real fault in the composition. The inclination of Lady Sarah's head is exquisite, and her features are fine, but do not convey to us the impression of the beautiful woman we are led to believe she was, by the enthusiasm her beauty caused. Is it that we are less enthusiastic for beauty nowadays, or is it that her charm lay in an expression impossible to translate upon canvas ? But no ! Sir Joshua must have been equal even to that — the fault must be with us. Lady Susan is not so handsome, nor is her position so graceful ; but her delicate colouring and pretty drapery play their parts well here. Fox, in a blue coat, contrasting effectively with the drapery of Lady Susan, has a paper in his hand, and looks very old for his age ; which sign of the future great statesman's precocity may give additional interest to Sir Joshua's work. But even without Fox's presence, the picture would be especially interesting, Lady Sarah Lennox and Lady Susan Strangways each being the heroine of a true romance.
Title: CharlesJamesFox ByJoshuaReynolds
Credit: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=943056001&objectId=1490799&partId=1
Author: Engraving after original by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). Another version exists at Saltram House, Devon.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No