Mrs Agnes McLehose, 'Clarinda', 1759 - 1841. Friend and correspondent of Burns
About this artwork
One of the women intimately involved with Robert Burns, Agnes McLehose had been separated from her husband for seven years when she met the poet at a party in Edinburgh. They wrote each other passionate letters, adopting the names 'Clarinda' and 'Sylvander'. The relationship broke off when Burns acknowledged Jean Armour as his wife. Agnes McLehose was beautiful, witty and wrote poetry. This silhouette shows her confidently posed as if on the brink of speaking. It was made for Burns and was still in his possession at the time of his death.
Updated before 2020
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artist:John Miers (about 1758 - 1821) English
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title:Mrs Agnes McLehose, 'Clarinda', 1759 - 1841. Friend and correspondent of Burns
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date created:1788
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materials:Ink on plaster
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measurements:Height: 6.30 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Presented by W.G. Campbell 1897
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accession number:PG 567
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
John Miers
John Miers
Miers was born in Leeds, where he worked as a painter of profile portraits, known as silhouettes, from 1781. He also travelled to various towns in the north of England and spent time in Edinburgh before settling in London in 1788. Miers was the best known and most prolific maker of this fashionable...