Mary Hale was the sister-in-law of the 1st Earl of Harewood.
She is depicted by Reynolds as Euphrosyne, the Classical goddess of joy and one of the Three Graces.
Though unusual for a portrait of this period, Mary is depicted in dancing motion, stepping forward with her right leg and using her left arm to balance. She is positioned off-centre in the canvas and her swinging dress is cropped, adding to a sense of movement. Mary is also located in an open glade with windswept hair, creating a sense of wildness and spontaneity.
As befits the decorative theme of the Music Room (where this portrait is located), music is suggested by the several children shown behind Mary, each playing musical instruments. One child stares directly out of the canvas, telling the viewer to ‘shush’.
These elements of dance and music reflect the Three Graces’ mythological role in organising dances and festivals, as well as the domestic sociability expected of Mary herself.
For the composition of this portrait, Reynolds took inspiration from the French Old Master, Nicolas Poussin, with the figures around Mary arranged in a tumbling, triangular shape, with many arms and legs leading the viewer’s eye around the painting.
Found here

Music Room

Music Room
More British Portraiture
Harewood House is home to over 300 portraits. From Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough to Sir Alfred Munnings and John Singer Sargent, the Lascelles family have been painted by some of Britain’s leading portrait artists since the 18th century.

Portrait of Louisa, 3rd Countess of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Portrait of David Harewood OBE
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Arthur France MBE
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Lady Harrington
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Edwin Lascelles
- British Portraiture

Princess Mary on Portumna
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Louisa, 3rd Countess of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Portrait of David Harewood OBE
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Arthur France MBE
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Lady Harrington
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Edwin Lascelles
- British Portraiture

Princess Mary on Portumna
- British Portraiture
Explore our Collections
Harewood House Trust, boasts an incredible collection of furniture, ceramics, and paintings, as well as gardens and grounds brimming with plants from around the world.

Italian Old Masters

British Furniture

Sino-Himalayan Plants

Italian Old Masters

British Furniture
