Portrait of Lady Catherine Edwin (Née Montagu) in a Woodland C.1697; by Michael Dahl (1659-1743), Oil on Canvas Painting

This exquisite portrait by Michael Dahl was part of the extensive collection owned by Thomas Wyndham of Clearwell Court in Gloucestershire. It made its way to Adare Manor in County Limerick as an inheritance for his only daughter, Caroline, who married Windham Wyndham-Quin, the 2nd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, in 1810. It is thought that this collection was transferred to Adare following a significant rebuilding project, during which many Wyndham family portraits were removed from Clearwell. By 1865, these portraits were certainly at Adare, as evidenced by a catalogue written by the Countess of Dunraven detailing the history and collection of the Manor. This particular portrait bears a faint label on its reverse, indicating its origin from Clearwell Court, suggesting it was relocated around this period. Additionally, it was captured in a photograph of Adare of this time.

The portrait is said to represent Lady Catherine Montagu, the daughter of Robert Montagu, the 3rd Earl of Manchester, and Anne Yelverton. Born circa 1673, Catherine was one of ten siblings, several of whom became prominent figures in high society. Her sister Anne became the Countess of Suffolk and her brother became the 1st Duke of Manchester in 1719.

On 21st September 1697, Lady Catherine married Samuel Edwin (1671-1722), a Member of Parliament from Llanmihangel Plas in Glamorgan. Edwin inherited a substantial fortune from his father, Sir Humphrey Edwin, who served as Lord Mayor of London, along with extensive properties in Westminster. Together, Samuel and Catherine had at least two children, Charles and Anne. Charles died without an heir, leaving Anne as the sole heiress to her parents' estates. In 1728, Anne married Thomas Wyndham of Clearwell Court, and they had a son named Charles, who adopted the surname Edwin upon inheriting his uncle's estates. It was his granddaughter, Caroline Wyndham, who married the 2nd Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earland, bringing this portrait and much of the Clearwell collection to Adare Manor.

At the time of the marriage between Samuel and Catherine, when this portrait would have been painted, the esteemed artist Michael Dahl was engaged in his principal commission, the ‘Petworth Beauties’, commissioned by Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset. This series comprises seven portraits of women and commenced after the year 1695. Our sitter is believed to have died in 1732.

The sitter has been depicted seated in a woodland wearing a russet-coloured silk dress and a simple white crisp chemise; her body encapsulated by a luxurious azure wrap – a great skill is observed in these draperies and is evident in some of the best works by Dahl. The hands are particularly beautiful. The clothing and hairstyle help to date the portrait to the latter half of the 1690s when they were fashionable.

Provenance:

(Probably) commissioned for the marriage of Samuel Edwin and Lady Catherine Montagu in 1697, and by descent to Charles Edwin (c.1670-1716), Llanmihangel Plas, Glamorgan;

By descent to his sister, Anne Edwin (1701 - 1758), Clearwell Court, Gloucestershire;

By descent to her grandson, Thomas Wyndham (c. 1763 - 1814), Clearwell Court, Gloucestershire and Dunraven Castle, Glamorganshire;

By decsent to his daughter, Caroline Wyndham-Quin, 2nd Countess of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (1782 - 1850), Clearwell Court and Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland;

By descent to Thady Wyndham Quin, 7th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (1939 - 2011), Adare Manor, Co. Limerick, Ireland;

His Sale, Christie's, on the premises, 9 June 1982, lot109, (as Portrait of a Lady);

Private Collection, Ireland (acquired from the above sale)

Measurements: Height 139.5cm, Width 104cm unframed (Height 55”, Width 41” unframed)

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