Portrait of Mary, Countess Howe

Hi everyone, my name is Isabella! Today, we're going to look at a very special painting. It's called "Portrait of Mary, Countess Howe." That's a really long name, isn't it? nn Can you say "Countess?" A Countess is like a princess! This painting shows us what she looked like way back in 1764. That's even before your grandparents were born! nn --- nn Look at the beautiful colors! What do you see? The Countess is wearing a big, fancy hat and a lovely pink dress. Don't you think she looks like she's ready for a party? nn The painter, Thomas Gainsborough, wanted to show how important and stylish the Countess was. He made her look very kind and friendly, too. See how she's looking right at us? It's like she's about to say hello! nn --- nn Now, let's look closely at the painting. Do you see how the light shines on the Countess? It makes her dress and hat look soft and smooth. The painter used special tricks with light and shadow to make the painting look real. nn He also used soft brushstrokes, like gentle touches, to create a sense of movement. It's almost as if the Countess could step out of the painting at any moment! nn --- nn This painting is more than just a picture of a Countess. It's a work of art that tells a story about a woman from long ago. What do you think her life was like? What do you think she liked to do? nn When you look at this painting, remember that it's a window into the past, showing us a glimpse of history and the people who lived in it. nn ---