Lot 43: JAMES LATHAM (1696-1747) PORTRAIT OF MARY, WIFE OF EDWARD, 9TH DUKE OF NORFOLK

Full length, standing by an urn of carnations, wearing a white dress with red robes Oil on canvas 190.5 by 135 cm.; 75 by 53 in. The sitter was the daughter and co-heir of Edward Blount of Blagdon, Devon, the early patron and correspondent of Pope. In 1727 she married Edward, 9th Duke of Norfolk (1686-1777), and together they played an active role in the fashionable social world. The Duchess in particular was gregarious and hospitable, and their circle was not restricted to Roman Catholics. "Her house was the centre of whatever was great and elegant, in either communion; and by familiarising them with one another, their prejudices were softened, and their mutual good will encreased". They were received at the Court of George II, tacit recognition of the fact that the Duke's Jacobite past was forgiven and forgotten. Lady Irwin wrote in January 1733. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk were at Court on Friday where they were received with great distinction. The Duchess, who is a sensible woman, and must act the man where talking is necessary, behaved much to her credit; she assured the Queen, though she and the Duke were of different religion, they had as much duty and regard for the King as any of his subjects, and should be glad of every occasion that gave "em opportunity to show it". She was intelligent, energetic, charming, an ardent Catholic and something of a francophile who visited the Continent frequently and was received at the French Court by Louis XV. She was also rather formidable, and Horace Walpole referred to her as "My Lord, Duchess". She was considered the finest needlewoman of her day, as the long series of chair covers at Arundel still testifies, and a fine portrait of the Duke of Duchess by Vanderbank shows her with her needlework frame. EXHIBITED Royal Hibernian Academy, Winter Exhibition of Old Masters, 1902/3.