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Portrait of Nelly O'Brien by Sir Joshua Reynolds

Portrait of Nelly O'Brien by Sir Joshua Reynolds
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This beautiful portrait of the famous 18th Century London courtesan Nelly O'Brien was created by her close friend, the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds painted Nelly several times between 1760 and 1767 and there has been some speculation that this picture was commissioned by Frederick St.John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke.

Frederick was one of Nelly's early aristocratic lovers; he was a notorious womaniser. However the Wallace Collection website confirms that there is no record to support the idea of the painting being a private commission.

Year:
c. 1762
Artist:
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Type:
Portrait
Location:
The Wallace Collection, London
Reference:
P38
Copyright:
The Trustees of the Wallace Collection
Last updated on:
Thursday 4th September 2025

Items of Interest

Portrait miniature of Frederick St.John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke by John Smart, 1773
Portrait miniature of Frederick St.John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke by John Smart, 1773

A miniature of Frederick St.John, 2nd Viscount Bol...

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