Lady Catherine Lucy Wilhelmina Stanhope only daughter of the 4th Earl of Stanhope, was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman at court at the time of Queen Victoria’s accession in 1837. She served as a Maid of Honour at Victoria’s coronation and as a bridesmaid at her wedding to Prince Albert. She met Lord Dalmeny at a ball at Buckingham Palace in July 1843 and they were married three months later.

Following the death of Lord Dalmeny in 1850 Wilhelmina married Lord Harry Vane in 1854.

In 1882 Alma-Tadema was invited to put on a solo show at the Grosvenor Gallery. He received praise for his precise portrayal of archaeological artefacts but was criticised for his lifeless and soulless figures. He may well have painted this portrait of the Duchess and exhibited it at the Royal Academy in 1883 in response to these criticisms.

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912)
Date: 1882-3

Image Details
Date: 12 May 2024
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Telephoto Camera 52mm ƒ/2.4
Focal Length: 52mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Shutter Speed: 1/33s
ISO: 400
Licensing: Image of a Bowes Museum asset. This image cannot be licensed.