A Space of Their Own

A three-quarters length portrait of a woman holding a stringed instrument, like a small guitar. She is wearing a very elaborate blue dress with white lace trim and a spray of flowers at her bust. She wears a large string of pearls at her neck and another string of pearls adorns her hair, as does a blue bow. She looks directly at the viewer with a slight smile.

Willielma Campbell (1741–1786, née Maxwell), Lady Glenorchy

1762
Catherine Read, Willielma Campbell (1741–1786, née Maxwell), Lady Glenorchy, 1762. Oil on canvas, 127.2 x 101.9 cm. The McManus, Dundee.
The McManus, Dundee

A bust-length portrait of a middle-aged woman, looking down and to the left. She is wearing a gray dress with a green shawl draped around her shoulders and a sheer scarf in her hair. She is holding a quill in her right hand, and she rests that hand on a book.

Portrait of Elizabeth Carter

1765
Catherine Read, Portrait of Elizabeth Carter, 1765. Oil on canvas, 66 x 54 cm. Dr. Johnson’s House, London.
Dr. Johnson’s House, London

An oval portrait of the artist against a blue background, with her right hand lifting as though she is pointing. Her elbow and sleeve extend beyond the frame of the portrait. She wears a white dress with a sheer cream scarf covering part of her hair and draped around her shoulder. She looks directly at the viewer with a faint smile, her lips slightly parted.

Self-Portrait

before 1750
Catherine Read, Self-Portrait, before 1750. Oil on canvas, 63.5 x 48 cm. Private collection.
Private collection

Six men in eighteenth-century clothing are gathered in a group, with just one sitting and the others standing. They are engaged in two groups of conversation with all of the men gesturing to one another. The background includes Roman ruins and a blue sky with clouds.

British Gentlemen in Rome

ca. 1750
Catherine Read, British Gentlemen in Rome, ca. 1750. Oil on canvas, 94.6 x 134.6 cm. Yale Center for British Art.
Yale Center for British Art

A three-quarters length portrait of a young woman, elaborately dressed in a white gown with a blue cape that is lined in ermine fur. Her brown hair is pulled back and crowned with a braid, and she wears two strands of pearls at her neck and two at her wrist. She looks out with a slight smile. The setting includes a column and red curtain swag behind her, and she leans back, resting her left elbow on the stone ledge.

Maria Constantia, née Hampden-Trevor, 12th Countess of Suffolk and 5th Countess of Berkshire,

ca. 1764–67
Catherine Read, Maria Constantia, née Hampden-Trevor, 12th Countess of Suffolk and 5th Countess of Berkshire, ca. 1764–67. Oil on canvas, 127 x 101.9 cm. English Heritage, Kenwood, London.
English Heritage, Kenwood, London

A half-length portrait of a woman looking up from her book to meet the viewer’s gaze directly. One hand holds the book while she rests her head in the other, her elbow propped on a table. She is wearing an orange and marigold gown, with a green shawl draper around her. Her hair is pulled back to show her rosy cheeks and her expression is a slight smile.

Portrait of Frances Brooke

ca. 1771
Catherine Read, Portrait of Frances Brooke, ca. 1771. Oil on canvas, 72.4 x 60 cm. Private collection.
Private collection

An oval, bust-length portrait of a young girl turned to the left but looks directly at the viewer. She wears a light blue dress embellished with white lace and a large blue bow. Her bonnet is made of lace and blue ribbon and covers most of her hair. The young girl has bangs and rosy cheeks; she has a sweet expression, with a slight smile.

Little Girl with a Bonnet

n.d.
Catherine Read, Little Girl with a Bonnet, n.d. Oil on canvas, 50 x 45 cm. Canterbury Museums and Galleries.
Canterbury Museums and Galleries

A half-length portrait of a young woman, seated on a blue chair and turned to meet the viewer’s gaze directly. She wears a cream dress with white lace and blue ribbons at her elbows, holding a sprig of white flowers in one hand. She wears a hat adorned with blue ribbons and bows, with more lace. Her expression is sweet, with a slight smile.

Portrait of Polly Jones

n.d.
Catherine Read, Portrait of Polly Jones, n.d. Pastel on paper, 73 x 60.1 cm. Fargindon Collection.
Fargindon Collection

A full-length portrait of three children, two girls and a boy. The boy is wearing a bronze-colored outfit with lace trim and the girls are wearing gray dresses with lace trim and other embellishments. The older girl has her curls pulled half-back while the young girl wears a lace cap. There are two white and brown dogs seated on either side of the group and the younger girl is holding the hand and arm of the boy.

The Children of Charles I (after Anthony van Dyck)

n.d.
Attributed to Catherine Read, The Children of Charles I (after Anthony van Dyck) , n.d. Oil on canvas, 122 x 143 cm. Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum, Manchester.
Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum, Manchester