A Woman in Blue (Portrait of the Duchess of Beaufort) 

"A Woman in Blue (Portrait of the Duchess of Beaufort)" is an oil-on-canvas painting by renowned English artist Thomas Gainsborough, known for his masterful portraits and landscapes. This work, currently residing in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, depicts the Duchess of Beaufort in a graceful pose, adorned in a fashionable blue gown. The soft, flowing lines of her dress and the delicate brushstrokes employed by Gainsborough create a sense of elegance and refinement, characteristic of the artist's style. The portrait's intimate scale and the Duchess's serene expression highlight the personal and intimate nature of portraiture during the 18th century.