Lucy Countess Bedford 3
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Lucy Countess Bedford 3
Lucy Harrington, countess of BEDFORD, wife of Edward Russell, third earl; patroness of the arts Date: ? - 1627
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Media ID 14288989
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1627 Arts Bedford Countess Harrington Lucy Patroness Russell
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "Lucy Harrington, Countess of Bedford (1581-1627): A Patroness of Arts and Culture in Early Seventeenth-Century England" This evocative portrait captures the enchanting countenance of Lucy Harrington, Countess of Bedford, in the twilight of her life. Born in 1581 as Lucy Russell, she was the eldest daughter of the 4th Earl of Bedford and Frances Walsingham, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. In 1603, she married Edward Russell, the third earl of Bedford, and became a prominent figure in the English court. The Countess of Bedford is renowned for her patronage of the arts and her support of literary and artistic figures during the early seventeenth century. She was a close friend and patron of the poet John Donne, who dedicated several of his poems to her. Her literary salon, held at her London residence, attracted many notable writers and intellectuals of the time, including Ben Jonson, Inigo Jones, and John Selden. In the visual arts, she commissioned works from artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Pauline de Borgo, and supported the establishment of the first English art academy, the "Painter-Stainers Company," in 1611. Her patronage extended to music as well, with the composer John Dowland dedicating his "First Book of Songs or Ayres" to her in 1600. The Countess of Bedford's influence extended beyond the arts, as she was also known for her charitable works and her advocacy for religious tolerance. She died in 1627, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy that continues to inspire and captivate scholars and artists to this day. This portrait, likely painted around the time of her death, offers a glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman who played a significant role in the cultural and intellectual landscape of early seventeenth-century England.
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