***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEDIUM IS OIL ON CANVAS LAID ON BOARD***
Hugh Douglas Hamilton RHA (1734-1808)
Portrait of Maria Susanna Ormbsy, seated holding a sketch book
Oil on canvas laid on...

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MEDIUM IS OIL ON CANVAS LAID ON BOARD***
Hugh Douglas Hamilton RHA (1734-1808)
Portrait of Maria Susanna Ormbsy, seated holding a sketch book
Oil on canvas laid on board, 67 X 61cm (26 x 24")
Inscribed upper right 'Maria Susanna, daughter of William and Hannah Ormsby, born 1745, died 1827'
Signed and dated verso '1796'

This excellent portrait, painted after Hamiltons return to Dublin from Rome is not listed by Fintan Cullen. [Oil Paintings of Hugh Douglas Hamilton, Walpole Society Vol. 50 1984] and is a welcome addition to the inventory of Hamiltons extant portraits (1796).

It re-emerged from the recent disposal of the Harlech Collection in Wales. The Ormsby-Gores, in spite of a Welsh title and seat, represent two families from the West of Ireland who flourished in the 18th century.

The subject of the present lot, Maria Susannah Ormsby was the daughter of William Ormsby M.P for Sligo and Hannah Wynne of Haselwood, County Sligo, the lovely Palladian villa designed by Richard Castle. Her brother, Owen Ormsby married (1777) Margaret Owen who came into a great Welsh estate that had been swollen by the Godolphin inheritance. Their only child and heiress Mary Jane Ormsby married (1815)William Gore, M.P. for Leitrim from a family long influential in Counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim. Thereafter the family became Ormsby-Gore and were subsumed into English high society with a title from the Barony of Harlech.

Our subject, Maria Susannah Ormsby, died unmarried so this portrait of a charming and artistic woman remained with the Ormsby-Gores. As an observation of mature character it confirms Hugh Douglas Hamiltons place in the top rank of European portraiture.

 

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