Elizabeth Throckmorton,Canoness of the Order of the Dames Augustines Anglaises 1729

Nicolas de Largillière painted “Elizabeth Throckmorton, Canoness of the Order of the Dames Augustines Anglaises” during a time of significant religious and political tension in Europe. Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Throckmorton, chose a life within the Canonesses of St. Augustine, an enclosed religious order. Largillière captures Elizabeth’s identity as a woman of both spiritual devotion and aristocratic background. Her gaze is serene yet direct, hinting at the complex intersection of faith, gender, and class within the convent walls. While the religious habit signifies her commitment to a life of piety, the delicate rendering of her features reminds us of her individual humanity. This portrait departs from conventional representations of women, offering a glimpse into the choices and self-expression available to women within religious communities. It invites us to reflect on the roles women played in preserving their identities, during a period marked by social and political upheaval.