Mary Little, later Lady Carr c. 1765

Thomas Gainsborough painted this portrait of Mary Little, who later became Lady Carr, in oil on canvas. The work stands as a symbol of the aspirations of England’s landed gentry. Painted during a time of emerging social mobility, such portraits were tools to fashion and solidify social status through the controlled display of luxury. The detailed rendering of her expensive silk dress, lace, and jewelry speaks volumes about the Little family's wealth and standing. Mary's demure pose and averted gaze were conventional strategies for presenting feminine virtue and modesty while suggesting a powerful social position. To gain a deeper understanding, one might consider estate records, family correspondence, and the detailed inventories of luxury goods that survive from this period. Such documents provide insight into the social and economic conditions that shaped this image. The study of art history reveals how portraiture participates in the construction of social identity.