Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey (1706-1768) (after Kneller)

John Fayram (active c.1713–d.1744). Oil painting on canvas, Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey (1706-1768) (after Kneller) by John Fayram (active c.1713–d.1744), 1728/29. A three-quarter-length portrait of a young woman, turned to the left, gazing at the spectator, wearing a low-cut silvery-white dress and rich blue mantle draped over right arm and shoulders, held by a strap going across the bodice; brown/grey hair with ringlets tied back and pearl adornment; holding a wreath of flowers and leaves; dark muted landscape background with rock and trees. (Companion portrait to Lord John Hervey by Fayram - P/20) Fayram began as a local artist, working in Bury St Edmunds. He was patronised by John, Lord Hervey, later 1st Earl of Bristol, and is known chiefly through the records of the latter’s ‘Book of Expences’. A homogeneous group of portraits at Ickworth, including the present picture and ICK/P/20 (Farrer no.89), can be associated with this artist on the strength of the signed portrait of the Hon. William Hervey referred to under ICK/P/232 (Farrer no.113). Mary (Molly), daughter of General Nicholas Le Pell; married to John, Lord Hervey, of Ickworth, 25th October 1720. She died 2nd September, 1768. Ickworth, Suffolk (Accredited Museum)