William Etty (1787-1849)
Louisa Rolls, Mrs Vaughan (d. 1853)
c.1835
oil on canvas
Louisa Elizabeth Vaughan was the daughter of John Rolls of The Hendre in Monmouthshire. She married John Francis Vaughan of Courtfield in Herefordshire, a member of an old Welsh Catholic family. Their children included Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop of Westminster, four priests and four nuns.
Born in Yorkshire, William Etty was best known for his large history scenes and his nudes. However, he also had a wide range of loyal patrons who commissioned portraits from him. He was much indebted to the Venetian Renaissance, and the fashionable 1830s clothing and hairstyle here are endowed with the colours of Titian.
Purchased, 1958
NMW A 438