Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton and Duchess of Argyll (1734 – 1790) (after Katherine Read...

Rebecca Dulcibella Orpen Ferrers, later Mrs Edward Henege Dering (1830 – 1923). Oil painting on panel (oval), Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton and Duchess of Argyll (1734-1790) by Rebecca Dulcibella Orpen (1830-1923) after a Katherine Read of c.1770. Inscribed and signed on the verso. A head-and-shoulders portrait with the sitter turned slightly towards the left, looking out at the spectator. She wears a black cloak open around her shoulders and a white shawl underneath. A pink rose is pinned at her breast. The Duchess wears an elaborate frilled bonnet of white lace which is tied under her chin with a blue satin bow, the blue ribbon and frilled lace continuing to either side of the head. She is set against a plain, grey background. Daughter of Colonel John Gunning; married (i) James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton and (ii) John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll Elizabeth Gunning, Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon was born at Hemingford Greys, Huntingdonshire. She was the daughter of Colonel John Gunning and Hon. Bridget Bourke. She was baptised on 7 December 1733 at Hemingford Greys, Huntingdonshire. She married, (i) James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton, son of James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Hamilton and Lady Anne Cochrane, on 14 February 1752, (ii) Field Marshal John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll, son of General John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll and Hon. Mary Bellenden, on 3 February 1759 at London, England. She died on 20 December 1790 at Argyll House, Great Argyll Street, St. James's, London, England.She was buried at Kilmun, Argyllshire, Scotland. Her children by her first marriage to the 6th Duke of Hamilton: 1.Lady Elizabeth Hamilton (1753-1797) 2.James George Hamilton, 7th Duke of Hamilton. (1755-1769) 3.Douglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton (1756-1799) Her children by her second marriage to the 5th Duke of Argyll: 1.Lady Augusta Campbell (1760-1831) 2.George John Campbell, Earl of Campbell (1763-1764) 3.Sir George William Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll (1768-1839) 4.Lady Charlotte Susan Maria Campbell (1775-1861) 5.John Douglas Edward Henry Campbell, 7th Duke of Argyll (1777-1847) Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire (Accredited Museum)