This picture has to be dated on stylistic grounds as the sittings recorded in Reynolds sitter’s book were in 1755 which is far too early for the appearance of this picture. A single sitting did, however, take place in 1764 and another one in 1767 which would suggest that Reynolds executed this painting over several years. Lady Penn was noted for her ‘solid and instructive society’. She spent a great deal of time with her husband in Pennsylvania who became Governor in 1746. In 1763 she gave funds to the Lancaster Library, Pennsylvania.

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