Laurie (Lowry), Robert (c. 1755-1836): Eliz.th Dutchess of Hamelton, Chatelerault, Brandon, & Dutchess of Argyle, &c &c.
 
Mezzotint after Catherine Read, 1771, published in London by Robert Sayer. 50,8 x 35 cms (plate), 51,7 x 36,5 cms (sheet).
 
”Portrait of Elizabeth Duchess of Hamilton (née Gunning), half-length directed to left, in an oval frame, wearing a bonnet with close ruffles around the face tied under the chin and black shawl edged with lace tied with a bow” (BM).
 
Elizabeth Gunning, The Duchess of Hamilton, was a celebrated beauty who married James Hamilton, 6th Duke of Hamilton, and later John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll.
 
Catherine Read (1723-1778) was a Scottish portrait painter in crayons, who also worked occasionally in oils and as a miniaturist. She studied in Paris under Quentin de la Tour, and later in Rome 1751-53, where she studied under L. G. Blanchet. Read settled in London in 1754. There are a number of mezzotints of her portraits.
 
Robert Laurie was the inventor of colour printing in mezzotint in 1776, and later turned print publisher.