Pedigree of Portrait of Mary Lewis
Artist
William Hogarth
(London, England, 1697 - 1764)
Mediumletter on paper & envelope
ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings
DimensionsOverall: Height: 20 cm, Width: 12.5 cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1939 by Miss Lizzie Hogarth.
CopyrightOut of copyright
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG000114.1
Keywords
Mary LewIs
Pedigree of Painting
My great Grandfather on my mother's side, was an officer in the Army in King William's III time.
When the Army was disbanded he took the George Inn at Twickenham, which became the fashionable resort of Pope, Garrick and all the celebrated men of that period, many then living in the vicinity. He was appointed falconer to King William and had the custody of the hawks at Hampton Court (his name was Fletcher).
He had three daughters, one became the wife of Sir James Thornhill, the painter, one was my Grandmother, and the other, who was married to David Lewis, Harper in Ordinary to George 1st, and who was the mother of the subject of the present Portrait, Mary Lewis.
The only daughter of Sir James Thornihill became Mrs Hogarth, hence the connection of the family with "Hogarth".
Mr Lewis resided at Twickenham and Mary his daughter, was taken in early life into the family of Mr Hogarth and acted all her life in the capacity of his Shop Woman, [she managed the shop from which Hogarth sold his prints] and her Aunt's companion. She ultimately inherited all Mr Hogarth's property, and died in the house at Cheswick in the year 1808 aged 88 years and lies in the Hogarth tomb in Cheswick churchyard, I remember her perfectly well being about 17 years old when she died.
Mr Hogarth painted this protrait and on presenting it to his neice said "There Molley, I have finished your portrait at last and I have taken some pains with it, but I have put a ruff on you to disguise it, for you're too handsome, now if you like to have 20 guineas instead of the portrait? have been bid that sum for it and you may have which you please".
She said she would have the picture and keep it for his sake, which she did and on her demise it became the property of Mr P.F. Hast my uncle-in-law who for 45 years held confidential appointments in the service of George the III and from him it came into my possession.
Signed John Phillips
Engineering Surveyor
5 Torrington Place
Torrington Square
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