Genna, the heroine of my upcoming book (Nov 22), Bound By A Scandalous Secret, is an aspiring artist who wishes to make her living with her art, but she has grown up in the country and has never actually met another artist, let alone another woman artist. I wanted her to meet a real woman artist of the time period.
My research led me to Amelia Long (1762-1837). Amelia, nee Hume, was the daughter of an amateur artist and she studied under watercolorist Thomas Girtin, a friend and rival of Turner, and also of Henry Edridge, a painter of landscapes, miniatures, and portraits. She painted landscapes which were exhibited at the Royal Academy.
After a trip abroad to Italy, Amelia married Charles Long, a politician and art connoisseur who was a friend of William Pitt and an art advisor to the Prince Regent, who later became George IV.
Amelia and her husband Charles purchased Bromley Hill where Amelia redesigned the gardens, which were much admired.
In 1826 Charles became Baron Farnborough.
In Bound By A Scandalous Secret, I wanted Genna to tour Carlton House, the extravagant house of the Prince Regent. In my first version, I just made up a guy, but when I discovered Charles advised the Regent, he was perfect for being her tour guide.
I just love when those sorts of synchronism happen!
Do you have a favorite woman artist?
I read a wonderful historical fiction book about Élizabeth Vigée-le Brun, who was a French artist and specialized in portraiture. She lived at Versailles and painted Marie-Antoinette. She lived from 1742 to 1855.
And I will enjoy reading about Ms. Long when the book comes out in November! Cheers, Denise
I love the paintings of Vigee-le Brun! She was criticized for painting herself smiling and — gasp –showing her teeth.
And thanks for the kind words !
Sadly I don’t have a favorite lady artist from the historic times, shocking I know being an artist myself! But I do like the self portraits by French painter Élisabeth Vigée LeBrun, who also served as the portrait painter to Marie Antoinette.
Another Vigee le-Brun fan!