Portret van Polly Harrison met een duif in de hand after 1749

This mezzotint, "Portrait of Polly Harrison with a Dove in her Hand," was created by Valentine Green, a leading printmaker in 18th-century Britain. The image presents a young woman in an idealized, pastoral setting, holding a dove, a symbol often associated with peace and innocence. In Britain, this kind of imagery played a crucial role in shaping social ideals and norms. Aristocratic families often commissioned portraits that presented them as virtuous and refined. By controlling their public image, the elite reinforced their social standing and cultural authority. Mezzotints like this one, with their subtle gradations of tone, were prized for their ability to capture the textures and details of such paintings. Engravings such as this one circulated widely. Art historians study the distribution of such prints to understand the evolving tastes and values of the British middle and upper classes, and to explore the public role of art in shaping cultural identity.