This coloured print is of Dorothea Bland, 1758-1810, an Irish actress who took the stage name, Mrs Jordan. Making her debut in Dublin in 1777 and her first London appearance in 1785 she was hugely popular and talented.
She had several illegitimate children with various lovers before becoming mistress to the Duke of Clarence, later William IV. Their children took the name Fitz-Clarence.
They were together for twenty years before they parted. She was devastated although receiving a stipend from him for a time.
She died in poverty in Saint-Cloud, France, having been defrauded by her eldest daughter and son-in-law.
The original was painted by renowned portrait artist, John Hoppner 1758-1810.
Find out more about artworks in the Collection, visit the www. lythamstannesartcollection.org website.