Maria Hamilton Beckford 1799

This portrait of Maria Hamilton Beckford by Benjamin West, painted in 1799, is a classic example of Neoclassical portraiture. The subject, dressed in a fashionable blue gown, is presented with a refined elegance, holding a book and seated in a grand setting. The architectural background and the overall composition evoke a sense of order and idealized beauty, reflecting the artistic principles of the Neoclassical era. The painting celebrates the sitter's intellectualism and status, highlighting the values of reason and refinement prevalent in 18th-century society.