Maria Walpole when the Duchess of Gloucester in a blue dress
Description:
Maria Walpole (1736-1807) was the daughter of Sir Edward Walpole (1706-1784) and his common-law wife Dorothy Clement (1715?-1739). She married first, in 1759, James Waldegrave (1714-1763), Earl Waldegrave, and second, in 1766, Prince William Henry Hanover (1743-1805), Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh., Artist attribution identified by Bodo Hofstetter of Christie's, 2004., Miniature set in a case with brightwork decoration on edge band that is hinged at top. A field of woven graying brown hair and one tied lock of white hair are inside the case between the minature and the silk backing embroidered with the initials ELW (for Elizabeth Laura Waldegrave, daughter of the sitter)., Though the embroidered initials would indicate that the portrait is of Elizabeth Laura Waldegrave (1760-1816), it is believed that her portrait was removed and replaced by one of her mother; the miniature there now is smaller than the case. The woven hair is mounted on paper inscribed "Lady Laura Waldegrave's hair / AC.", and For further provenance information, see the custodial history note in the Guide to the Sir Edward Walpole and Dorothy Clement Family Papers (LWL MSS 37).
