Charlotte, Duchess of Northumberland

This attractive profile was painted by the master silhouette artist John Field from his studio at 11 Strand. It shows the future Duchess of Northumberland as a young lady with a ribbon bandeau in her curled hair tied in a trailing bow. The silhouette is painted on card and finely gilded. It is signed ‘field 11 Strand’ under the bustline. A later hand-written label on the back names the sitter.

Born in 1787, Lady Charlotte Florentia Clive was the younger daughter of Edward Clive, 1st Earl of Powis. In 1831 she married Hugh Percy to become the Duchess of Northumberland. She was also appointed governess to the young Princess Victoria though this role ended in 1837 when she fell out of favour with Victoria’s mother. The Duchess was a keen plant collector and gardener and even had some plants named Clivia in her honour. She died in 1866, her husband having pre-deceased her by nineteen years.

The background card has light age-browning but the silhouette is otherwise fine. It is housed in the original papier-mâché frame with a decorative surround and an emblems (rose, thistle and shamrock) hanger.