The Rt. Honble. Catharine Compton, Countess of Egmont, Daughter of Charles Compton Esqr. and Sister to Spencer Compton now Earl of Southampton, with Master Charles Perceval Her Eldest Son.

A charming, three quarter length, seated portrait. Lady Egmont (d. 1784), sits facing slightly to the right, wearing her elaborate velvet and ermine trimmed peeress’s robes, with her small son seated on the table before her, clutching her coronet. The second wife of John Perceval 2nd Earl of Egmont, whom she married in Jan. 1756. Egmont had five sons by his first marriage and so Catharine was created Baroness Arden of Lohort in her own right, with remainder to her heirs male. In addition to six daughters she also had three sons, the eldest Charles (1756-1840), depicted here, became Baron Arden in the English peerage, while his younger brother was Spencer Perceval the Prime Minister assasinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons in 1812.