Mrs Catherine Heywood

The sitter for this portrait is Catherine Heywood, née Hartopp, daughter of Chiverton Hartopp of Welby, Nottinghamshire, High Sherriff of the County of Devon and Commissioner of the Admirality. She married James Modyford Heywood in 1755. Catherine's daughter Sophia Catherine married John Musters of Colwick Hall and Annesley Hall, both in Nottinghamshire. Many of Reynolds portraits appear ghostly pale today, because of the deterioration of the paint he used for skin colour.