The Honble: Mrs. Sherard

This mezzotint by and published by John Smith, after a painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, was issued in 1699 and portrays Lucy Manners (nee Sherard), later Duchess of Rutland (1685-1751). Born an heiress, she was the daughter of Bennet Sherard, 2nd Baron Sherard, and became the second wife of John Manners, 2nd Duke of Rutland, in 1713. Her marriage allied two prominent aristocratic families, and she was noted for her position within high society during the early Georgian period. Kneller's original painting captures her with the grace and poise characteristic of his court portraits, while Smith's mezzotint translates the composition into rich chiaroscuro tones, preserving the elegance and stature of the sitter for a wider audience.