Maria Hamilton Beckford (Mrs. William Beckford)

Benjamin West

National Gallery of Art

This painting shows a seated woman, her head turned slightly to the right. She has fair skin with rosy cheeks, pale eyebrows, a long nose, and thin pink lips in a neutral expression. Her dark brown hair is in an updo behind her head and adorned with blue ribbons and pearls, and she has a pearl necklace around her neck. She is wearing a dark blue dress with lace details around the low neckline and the wide sleeves. She holds a large open book with a yellow cover on her lap, and there is a guitar-like instrument leaning next to her on the right. On the left is draping red fabric and a cascade of colorful flowers. Behind her in the distance are large, off-white buildings with tall columns and railings, and behind the buildings is a green hill covered with peacocks and leafy trees. The blue sky above is scattered with puffy white and gray clouds.