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Notes

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The sitter is the great-great-grandmother of the first Sir John Amory’s wife, Henrietta Mary Unwin (1841–1923). Here she is pictured aged 26, seated on a circular bench around the trunk of a tree. She is dressed in a quilted blue and silver satin mantua, with lace necking, and a cap held by blue bows. She is holding a blue satin cap on her lap, and indicating towards a church in the distance.

Mary Cawthorne married the Reverend Morley Unwin of Huntingdon (1703–1767) in 1744. She was a close friend of the poet William Cowper (1731–1800), who stayed with her after her husband's accidental death in 1767. They shared a fervent interest in Evangelical Christianity. Cowper wrote at least two poems to her in 1793.

This is the only early family portrait at Knightshayes Court.

National Trust, Knightshayes Court

Tiverton

Title

Mary Cawthorne (1724–1796), Mrs Morley Unwin

Date

c.1750

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 75 x W 62 cm

Accession number

541163

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Joyce, Lady Heathcoat Amory, 1997

Work type

Painting

National Trust, Knightshayes Court

Bolham, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7RQ England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Arthur Devis

1712–1787

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