Triumph of Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Somerset, 1718-20 (oil on plaster)

Triumph of Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Somerset (1667-1722) Lady Elizabeth Percy, Duchess of Somerset riding, through a colonnade of ornate pillars, in a gilded triumphal car drawn by two white horses and surrounded by deities.If she were to make her progress through the colonnade she would eventually arrive at the painting of Petworth House around the corner of the landing. The Duchess's left hand rests on a shield inscribed with the words VIRTUS OMNIA VINCIT - [virtue conquers all] and the side panel of the car carries a bas-relief of 'The Judgment of Paris' (?). On the front of the triumphal car stands her son. Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of Somerset (1684-1750) as a nude boy wearing a flowing cloak. He holds the reins in his left hand, a small flaming torch in his right and looks back over his right shoulder at his mother.On the left in front and beside the chariot, walk the Duchess's three daughters in allegorical dress as Virtues; Prudence, holding a looking glass and serpent; Temperance in a state of classical deshabille holding in her right hand a horse's bridle and Justice holding a pair of scales.