Painted around 1785, this masterful portrait by George Engleheart depicts Frances Doyle in a white décolleté dress with blue ribbon and button trim, a double-stranded gold necklace and a black ribbon choker, her powdered hair curled and secured with a blue bandeau.*Frances’s story is a remarkable tale of adventure and social climbing. She was born in Ireland sometime between 1755 and 1760 to Edward Rainsford. Her great grandfather was Sir Marcus Rainsford, Lord Mayor of Dublin who, having inherited a substantial water supply from his father-in-law, established a brewery in Dublin. Two generations later that brewery was sold to Arthur Guinness; it continues to operate from the same site as the world-famous Guinness Brewery.*Frances was reputedly a great beauty. In 1774, whilst still a teenager, she married Welbore Ellis Doyle of Bramblestown, Kilkenny. He hailed from a military family and was at that point in his illustrious career a Lieutenant in the 55th (Irish) Regime...