Marianne-Caroline Hamilton (1777-1861) The Gentleman Farmer Sepia wash over ink, 23 x 30cm A rural interior with some pretension, but the unshaven gentleman has given up trying to study ''Culture...

Marianne-Caroline Hamilton (1777-1861) The Gentleman Farmer Sepia wash over ink, 23 x 30cm A rural interior with some pretension, but the unshaven gentleman has given up trying to study ''Culture of the Potato'' and ''Method of Drawing'' the footman is slovenly and the scavenging dogs are emaciated, whilst the wife is bored stiff. Literature: Kirwin Reminiscences of Marianne-Caroline Hamilton, 1777-1861, illustrated p.73. Born in a family of the first rank in 18th Century Ireland, Caroline Tighe also had the benefit of an intellectual environment of parents much influenced by continental, enlightenment on education, particularly for girls. To this was added travel, appreciation of art and above all, the value of nature. Her mother, who brought the beautiful Woodstock Estate to the Tighe family, was greatly influenced by the Methodism of John Wesley. This coloured Caroline's attitude towards Roman Catholicism but also taught the universality of human existence which gave her an understanding of and companionship of local people, she was able to depict her objective views of all members of the human race, particularly through the medium of her art. She and her sister had been well taught by the talented Maria Spilsbury, the daughter of the art teacher at Harrow, Carolines brother's school, both of whom her mother persuaded to come to Ireland to teach her children. Her observations set her apart from most of her class. They are however laced with wit and social comment. She is not kind but she is fair, and the satire is minutely observed. She married Charles Hamilton in Hamwood in 1801. Her artistic talent was revived by her direct descendants Eva and Letitia Hamilton in the 20th Century.

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