Cocktails with a Curator: Lawrence's "Lady Peel"

In this week’s episode of Cocktails with a Curator, Curator Aimee Ng explores the history behind Sir Thomas Lawrence’s celebrated portrait of Julia, Lady Peel. When it was shown at the Royal Academy, in 1827, this painting was hailed as Sir Thomas’s greatest portrait—and one of the great works of modern art at the time. It’s easy to see why: the sitter projects authority, confidence, and ease despite her flamboyant, over-the-top outfit. Sir Thomas's depiction of Lady Peel is closely related to Peter Paul Rubens’s famous Chapeau de Paille, which had recently entered the collection of her husband, Sir Robert Peel. In recognition of the lavish bracelets and rings worn by the sitter, this week’s complementary cocktail is the Bijou (French for “jewel”).

Cocktail Recipe

Bijou
1 1/2 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Green Chartreuse
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
2 Dashes orange bitters
Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass

Mocktail

Equal parts sparkling water and blood orange juice
Garnished with mint