Page 41 - Christmas 2018
P. 41
Lady Flora Hastings (1806-39) wearing blue dress with pendant brooch, painted in watercolour on ivory
By Henry Hawkins Circa 1835. H 4.5cm
H 2"
the miniature is inscribed on the reverse with artist and sitter's detail, Painted by/E (sic) Hawkins/ Lady Flora Hastings/ Lady of Bed Chamber/ to Duchess of Kent/ Died July 5 1830.
Flora, the daughter of the 1st Marquess of Hastings, was Maid of Honour (1832-9) to Victoria, Duchess of Kent, mother of Queen Victoria. She was the victim of the notorious Hastings affair, during the early part of Queen Victoria's reign. Caught up between the factions at court, she was the subject of whispering campaign insinuating that she was pregnant. A letter of defence which she wrote to her brother was published in the press leading to bitter condemnation of Queen Victoria for her role in the circulation of the rumours, particularly after the death of Lady Flora from cancer of the liver in 1839.
Henry Hawkins exhibited miniatures and watercolours between 1822 -80. Another image of Lady Flora by the artist was used as the basis of Edward Finden's stipple engraving of 1840
5061 (1680528/570473/05) £ 1,600
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