Sir Thomas Lawrence was the leading British portrait painter of the early 19th century, portraying most of the important personalities of the day in his polished and flattering style. He was influenced by Sir Joshua Reynolds during his youth; his style developed very little throughout his life.

If Elizabeth Bennet had indulged in a bit of frivolous fashion magazine perusal, what advice might she have read there and what images might she have seen?

Sir Thomas Lawrence | Emilia, Lady Cahir, Later Countess of Glengall | The Met

“lady of pearls”

Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Elizabeth Farren Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Thomas Lawrence: Regency Power and Brilliance Nat...

Portrait of Mary, Countess of Wilton (1801-1858), three-quarter-length, seated, in a red velvet dress with a brooch, a landscape beyond