Caroline Spencer, the Fourth Duchess of Marlborough, was a powerful woman. In this portrait— by court portrait artist Reynolds—the Duchess wears a sumptuous dress with ermine lining.
Doris Duke purchased this portrait from the estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson of Meadowbrook Hall in 1970 and placed it alongside other full-length portraits of British nobles on the grand staircase of Rough Point. And while we don’t know what drew Doris to this painting in particular—it’s interesting that Doris collected and displayed symbols—like this portrait— of strong, powerful women. You can follow the portraits up the grand staircase at Rough Point—past a future king, a noblewoman, a marchioness, until you get to the portrait of Nanaline Duke—and right next to her, Doris Duke as a young girl.
