The Friends of Lydiard Park have acquired a portrait of Lady Diana Beauclerk to hang in the State Rooms of Lydiard House.
Born Diana Spencer in 1734, Lady Di as she was known, married Frederick St John, 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke, the extravagant and ill-tempered owner of Lydiard Park.
Lady Diana’s marriage to Bolingbroke was notoriously abusive and ended in divorce through a highly publicised Act of Parliament.
A talented artist from childhood, Lady Diana drew on the sights and experiences of life at Lydiard for her drawings and paintings. She became one of the few aristocratic women of the day to support herself with her income from painting and was also one of the first women to design for potter Josiah Wedgwood.
Chair of the Friends of Lydiard Park, Sarah Finch-Crisp, said: “This newly identified portrait of Lady Diana has recently emerged from a private collection.
"It is an accomplished copy of a much admired portrait of her by Sir Joshua Reynolds which was painted while she was still Viscountess Bolingbroke and Lady of the Manor at Lydiard Park.
"Following conservation to both the painting and the frame, we are delighted to present this portrait to Lydiard House.
"The most remarkable thing about her was that she was an artist in her own right. From a young age was painting and drawing to a very high standard."
Admirers of Lady Diana'a work included author Horace Walpole, and her second husband was Topham Beauclerk, a close friend of Samuel Johnson, who is best known for what is regarded as the earliest credible English dictionary.
Attributed to George Perfect Harding (1779/80–1853) the painting of her depicts Lady Diana as a classical artist, with a pencil in her right hand and an album of drawings in her left.
Several of Lady Diana's works are displayed at Lydiard House, including panels, illustrations and an example of her pottery design.
Lydiard House Museum manager Frances Yeo said: "We're delighted that the Friends have been able to purchase this portrait of Lady Diana.
"It's really special for us because we have the largest public collection of works relating to her and by her on display anywhere in the country.
"To have this important portrait, which is after Reynolds is a real treat for us."
Cllr Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “We are thrilled to be able to display this new portrait of Lady Diana Beauclerk and are very grateful to The Friends of Lydiard Park who have purchased and conserved it for the benefit of Lydiard House Museum and the visiting public.
“We are looking forward to the painting going on show at the end of August. Lydiard House Museum contains the largest public collection of Lady Diana’s work in the UK and the new portrait will complement existing pieces on display.”
The Portrait of Lady Diana Beauclerk will be available to view in the Diana Room at Lydiard House Museum.
For those wanting to find out more, Lydiard House Museum has teamed up with the Friends of Lydiard Park to offer four specially curated tours. On Sunday, 11 September, author and historian Nicola Cornick will tell the story of Lady Diana Beauclerk in the first tour of the series. Tickets cost £15 for adults and include afternoon tea. Spaces must be booked in advance through the Lydiard Park website.
Lydiard House Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm (last admission 3.30pm).
Admission to Lydiard House Museum costs £5 for an adult and £2.75 for a child. Under-threes go free. Family tickets are also available.
Further information can be found at www.lydiardpark.org.uk/museum
The museum can be followed on Facebook and Instagram @LydiardHouseMuseum, or Twitter @LydiardMuseum.
The Friends of Lydiard Park website is www.friendsoflydiardpark.org.uk
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