Title: Cowper and Mrs Unwin

Height 46 cm, width 39cm
Date: 1802
Watercolour on paper
Richard Westall
Provenance: gift of Dr Morris Saffron, 1958
Museum No. OLNCN 731

An inscription on the reverse of the picture reads 'Theodosius and Constantina', but the donor believed the picture to represent Cowper and Mrs Unwin, an opinion shared by Sir Albert Richardson KCVO, former President of the Royal Academy.

The painting by Westall shows a seated gentleman having his slippers put on by a stylised female figure.

Born in Norwich, Westall was apprenticed to the heraldic engraver on silver John Thompson at 44 Gutter Lane, Cheapside. Whilst under Thompson's apprenticeship his work was noticed by the miniaturist John Alefounder who recommended he become a painter.

Westall started his career as a portrait painter, but found acclaim for his highly finished drawings, often of historical subjects. With continuing success his talents led him to book illustration which was to become the main occupation for much of his life. A prolific artist, Westall was second only to Thomas Stothard (1755-1834) in popularity; by the early 19th century he was at the very heart of the British art establishment.

Westall had a tendency to live beyond his means and when various speculations in stocks and shares proved unsuccessful he was reduced to moving in with his sister. He spent his later years, from 1827, teaching the young Princess, later Queen, Victoria to draw. In a final letter to the Duchess of Kent (Victoria's mother) he begged her to settle £100 a year on his blind sister which she subsequently did.