Anne, Duchess of Cumberland (1743-1808) 1773-84
Oil on canvas | 241.7 x 142.6 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405937
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This pair of full lengths (see RCIN 405936) were commissioned by the sitters as a gift to Elizabeth, Countess of Home to be hung at Home House, 20 Portman Square. The pair were exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1777. Ann Luttrell (1743-1808) was a young widow when described by Horace Walpole as 'extremely pretty, not handsome, very well made, with the most amorous eyes in the world, and eye-lashes a yard long. Coquette beyond measure, artful as Cleopatra, and complete mistress of all her passions and projects'. In 1771 she secretly married George III's brother, the Duke of Cumberland without the King's permission (and therefore illegally). The couple lived at Cumberland Lodge with Anne's sister Elizabeth (see RCIN 400675) and openly mocked the King and Queen living at Windsor nearby: Lady Louisa Stuart (1757-1851) remembers satire directed at Charlotte's wide mouth and imperfect English, at George III's habit of saying 'What? What?' and his absurdly unfashionable simplicity and integrity. The Duchess is here shown in full-length, wearing robes of State and resting her right hand on a ledge on which is her coronet.
Provenance
Bequeathed to William IV, when Duke of Clarence, by the Duchess of Cumberland in her will, dated 15 February 1808; recorded in the Dining Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841 (no 209)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
241.7 x 142.6 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
278.6 x 176.0 x 12.9 cm (frame, external)