Oil paint on canvas
Tate Collection
Works with images
General Collection
Collection
<a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sir-thomas-lawrence-334" aria-label="More by Sir Thomas Lawrence" data-gtm-name="header_link_artist" data-gtm-destination="page--artist">Sir Thomas Lawrence</a>
Princess Lieven
Purchased 1871
adults
body
head / face
individuals: female
Lieven, Princess
named individuals
people
portraits
von Benckendorff, Dorothea
woman
<p>Dorothea Benckendorff was born in Russia of German descent. In 1800 she married Count Christoph von Lieven, later Prince Lieven, who was appointed Russian ambassador in Berlin, and from 1812-34 in England. An ambitious woman, she was the mistress of Metternich, and held celebrated salons to which various diplomatic dignitaries were invited, winning her the nickname 'the Sybil of diplomacy'. In this unfinished portrait Lawrence has slightly flattered his sitter, mainly by slimming down and extending her neck. The work is an excellent example of his assured technique and rapidity of execution.</p><p><em>Gallery label, August 2004</em></p>
painting oil paint canvas
12 May 2009 – 17 October 2010
2010-10-17
12 May 2009 – 17 October 2010
2010-10-17
2009-05-12
Tate Britain (London, UK)
http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/
2009-05-12
Lawrence and Sargent
Collection based display
Princess Lieven
support: 460 × 384 mm
frame: 699 × 624 × 87 mm
Purchased 1871
<p>Dorothea Benckendorff was born in Russia of German  descent. In 1800 she married Count Christoph von  Lieven, later Prince Lieven, who was appointed  Russian ambassador in Berlin, and from 1812-34 in  England. An ambitious woman, she was the mistress  of Metternich, and held celebrated <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/s/salon" title="Glossary definition for 'Salon'"><span>salons</span></a> to which  various diplomatic dignitaries were invited,  winning her the nickname 'the Sybil of diplomacy'.  In this unfinished <a class="glossarylinktopopup" data-gtm-destination="article-page" data-gtm-name="body_text_link" href="http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/p/portrait" title="Glossary definition for 'Portrait'"><span>portrait</span></a> Lawrence has slightly  flattered his sitter, mainly by slimming down and  extending her neck. The work is an excellent  example of his assured technique and rapidity of  execution.</p>
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2004-08-18T00:00:00
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adults body head / face individuals: female Lieven, Princess named individuals people portraits von Benckendorff, Dorothea woman