Lady Elizabeth Keppel c. 1760

Edward Fisher's Lady Elizabeth Keppel presents us with a fascinating array of symbols. The garlands of flowers, held by both Lady Elizabeth and her attendant, traditionally represent beauty, pleasure, and celebration, echoing classical motifs of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. However, consider how the presentation of Lady Elizabeth and her attendant subtly contrasts with the classical figure of the statue in the background. The statue embodies an idealized, timeless beauty, adorned with flowers. Lady Elizabeth's presentation, attended by a person of colour, introduces complex themes of power, exoticism, and social status, diverging from the purity of classical allegory. The garland motif—a continuous circle of life and nature—appears across cultures, from ancient Roman triumphs to Renaissance paintings, each time adapting to its context, accumulating layers of cultural significance. Here, in this portrait, it evokes a sense of celebration but is tempered by the realities of the sitter's world, revealing a layered narrative where beauty and privilege intertwine with the visual echoes of history and power. It is a potent image, charged with historical, cultural, and psychological undercurrents.