Photos of Witham

Portrait of Pattisson boys

Photographer: Sir Thomas Lawrence (painter), Taken: 1811 to 1817, Source: National Trust, Southern Region. Image reference 611351., Ref: M329

A reproduction of a painting of brothers Jacob Howell Pattisson (left) and William Henry Pattisson (right), of Witham, with a donkey, by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830). The painting, carried out in 1811-17, was entitled ‘Rural Amusements’ and was very popular. When sold at Christie’s in 1860 it made 200 guineas (about £10,000 today). It now belongs to the National Trust and is at Polesden Lacey, Surrey. It was not until the spring of 1817 that it was finished to the artist’s satisfaction and sent for exhibition. William Henry Pattisson was drowned with his wife on his honeymoon in 1832 and Jacob Howell Pattisson left Witham after financial disaster in 1859.

In 2003 I bought a biscuit tin with a reproduction of the painting on the lid; it came from an online shop in Iowa. I gave it to the Braintree District Museum in 2005.

RefM329
PhotographerSir Thomas Lawrence (painter)
Date taken1811 to 1817
SourceNational Trust, Southern Region. Image reference 611351.
RestrictionsCopyright National Trust / Andrew Fetherston
Posted on Full size 2273 × 2853

Unless otherwise specified, photos are the copyright of the original photographer.

Every effort has been made to contact the owners of the photos or their relatives, to obtain their permission to use their pictures. But I have not always managed to find them, for which I apologise.

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