Rosalba Carriera, Une Muse
Vers 1725
Marianne Loir, Portrait d’une femme en Hébé
Anna Maria Strada. Johannes Verelst, 1732. The Foundling Museum, London.
The late Miss Strada, one of Mr. Hendel’s primadonnas, a grand woman but of small stature, who thought herself all high and mighty, indeed. So fine did she think her singing voice that she thought the Birds themselves would stop to listen. “Ladies”, says she, entertaining one day in her garden, “What will you wager if I cannot but bring forth the Birds from the trees with my song?”. This was soon settled and she proceeded to sing, at which the birds made a hasty flight, ‘tis sure, from their nests. All but one remained in the branches and Miss Strada’s musick was rewarded in full when it did sh-t on her head.
The Long Canal and Gibbs Temple, Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire. Balthasar Nebot, 1738. Buckinghamshire County Museum.
No finer views have been rendered of the great Estates of England than those by Mr. Nebot, a Spaniard by birth, who made England his home for some sixteen years, the climate being well suited to his disposition. Indeed, Mr. Nebot’s talents have recommended him to many a Gentleman, eager to have his House and Gardens commemorated by his pencil.
Head and Shoulders of a Young Man. Susanna Duncombe (née Highmore), date unknown. Tate, London.
Mrs. Duncombe, Lady artist and daughter of the celebrated painter Mr. Highmore, displayed a talent for drawing from an early age. ‘Tis said that when other young Ladies preferred the company of their sex, engaged in prattle about this young Gentleman and that, Miss Highmore was a keen Pupil in the studio of her father and spent many a Night making copies from his Drawing books.
Marble Hill House, 1724-1729.
No finer prospect can be afforded to the viewer than at Marble Hill House, the late residence of the Countess of Suffolk, Mistress of King George, a Lady known for her love of musick and dancing, and who hosted a variety of lavish entertainments and masquerades in her extensive Gardens.
