Portret van Mary Bertie 1757

This mezzotint, made by James McArdell, portrays Mary Bertie, Duchess of Ancaster, and it speaks volumes about the social values of 18th-century Britain. The Duchess is depicted with all the visual markers of wealth and status. Her elaborate gown, the feathered fan, and the stately home in the background all reinforce her aristocratic position. McArdell, like other artists of his time, was part of a system where patronage and social connections were crucial for success. This print, published in 1757, caters to a market eager to consume images of the elite. The image is a product of its time, reflecting a society deeply structured by class and status. To fully appreciate such artworks, we often turn to sources like letters, diaries, and estate records, which reveal the complex social and economic relationships that underpinned artistic production. Ultimately, this image reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.