Mezzotint Portrait of Miss Catherine More.

Catherine (née More), Lady Chambers (circa 1730-1798), wife of Sir William Chambers. Mezzotint by James Mc Ardell after the portrait by Joshua Reynolds, (now held at Kenwood House), published in 1756 ‘& Sold at the Golden head in Covent Garden’; the identity of the sitter inscribed in pencil beneath the subject.

Within a good replica of a correct 18th century print frame, ebonized and with a gilt sight.

o.s:11.75 in x 15.5 in

Catherine married William Chambers in Rome, March 1753. Together they had seven children; four daughters and three boys.

Sir William Chambers was born in Sweden to Scottish parents and went on to work for the Swedish East India Company making three visits to China during the 1740’s. Whilst there he studied Chinese architecture and decoration before going on to Paris and Italy to further study architecture. In 1755 he settled in London quickly attracting royal commissions, such as the Chinese Pagoda at Kew. He designed many important buildings, his greatest perhaps being Somerset House on the Strand, began in 1775 and not completed until after his death. He was a founding member of the Royal Academy and its first Professor of Architecture.