SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE, P.R.A. (1769 - 1830) LADY JULIA PEEL Canvas, 28 inches by 36 inches

Nearly three-quarter length, standing, full face. Wears a dark purple cloak trimmed with white fur over a low neck white satin gown. At her breast she wears a rose. Large black hat trimmed with red bird of paradise feathers. Hair parted and worn low over the temples. Her left arm in front of her, holds edge of cloak. Julia, youngest daughter of General Sir John Floyd, Bart., married Sir Robert Peel, 1820, and died 1859. "This is a superb work, rich in color, and with a charm which places its author on a level with the painter of the well-known portrait of Rubens' wife, called 'Le Chapeau de Paille,' now in the National Gallery, which certainly had inspired Lawrence when he painted this portrait of Lady Peel, and which he had probably studied in Sir Robert's Gallery at Dayton."—Quoted from Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower. The portrait is repeatedly referred to in eulogistic terms in Sir Robert Peel's letters. It has been frequently engraved, exhibited and mentioned in books, and was formerly in the collections of Sir Robert Peel, London, and M. S. Barboc, Paris. "Though in her own phrase 'no politician,' Lady Peel became in time," says her son George, "the closest or the only companion of the statesman in his most inmost thoughts." They had two daughters and five sons. Four of the sons attained distinction, the youngest having been speaker of the House of Commons from 1884 to 1895, and was created Viscount Peel on his retirement from office. An older brother, Sir William Peel, V.C., K.C.B., accompanied Lord Clyde to the relief of Lucknow and was so severely wounded there that he died soon after.

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