The Right Honourable Selina, Countess of Huntingdon (1707–1791), Foundress and Benefactress 

Editor: Here we have a portrait of "The Right Honourable Selina, Countess of Huntingdon," painted in oils by John Russell. She looks like a serious woman, gazing thoughtfully, perhaps after finishing the book that’s resting near her elbow. What can you tell me about her? Curator: What I see is a portrait of a powerful woman, presented within the aesthetic constraints of her time, but whose agency manifested through religious reform and social impact. Selina Hastings wasn’t just a Countess; she used her wealth and position to become a major figure in the 18th-century evangelical movement. How do you see the tension between her aristocratic status and her religious conviction expressed in the portrait? Editor: That's interesting. I see the aristocratic part in her fine clothing and refined pose, but what clues point toward her religious convictions? Curator: Look closely. There's a deliberate plainness to her dress, a stark contrast to the extravagant fashions of the aristocracy. The muted color palette and the simple bonnet, even the book itself, signal piety and a turn away from worldly vanity. This 'visual rhetoric' of humility was a conscious choice, used to amplify the Countess's moral authority at a time when aristocratic women had limited agency. The book suggests learning but might be also the Bible. This wasn't just about faith; it was about using faith as a lever for social change. What message do you think a contemporary audience would have received? Editor: So, the painting is not just a portrait, but a carefully constructed message about her identity and purpose. Fascinating. Curator: Exactly! And recognizing that helps us unpack not only her individual story, but also the broader history of women, religion, and power. Editor: I'll definitely look at portraits differently now, thinking about the narratives they are crafting. Thanks!