According to
Olga's Gallery, "Mary, Countess Howe, nee Hartopp (1732-1800), the wife of
an important naval officer." From what I can gather, it was his younger
brother that had some trouble in the colonies.
Countess Howe's open-robe gown is lovely with big lace engageantes
complemented by a delicate lace apron in this 1764 Gainsborough portrait.
Revers mark off her stomacher, but the her stomacher cannot be made out. The
lace band that looks like an order sash is actually part of a criss-cross scarf
that encloses much of her bodice and extends up to her necklaces. Her
face is framed by a choker of pearls below and a hat above.
Keywords: 1764, Gainsborough, Countess,
straight coiffure, hat, bows, square neckline, stomacher, scarf, lace, three
quarter length tight sleeves, engageantes, vee waistline, full skirt,
under-skirt, maxi-skirt, ruching, apron, choker necklace, earrings, arm bands,
shoes