Lot 396: John Thirtle (Norwich 1777-1839)

John Thirtle (Norwich 1777-1839)
Portrait of Ann Miles, later Mrs. John Sell Cotman, full-length, her right hand holding a parasol, her left arm resting on a plinth
signed and dated 'THIRTLE DEL.υT/1805' (lower left)
pencil and watercolour on paper, unframed
11½ x 9 in. (32.2 x 22.9 cm.)

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This is a portrait of Ann Miles whose sister Elizabeth married John Thirtle in 1812. Ann Miles married John Sell Cotman in 1809. Two portraits of Ann Miles are known, one in Leeds City Art Gallery, the other recorded in the collection of A.M. Cotman (see S. Kitson, The Life of John Sell Cotman, London, 1937, illustrated opp. p. 171). A group of five portraits of members of the Miles family is in Norwich Castle Museum, and a group portrait of John Sell Cotman, Mrs Edmund Miles and Anne Miles in their farmhouse, Felbrigg, Norfolk was sold in these Rooms, 16 November 2006, lot 106.

The present watercolour is a rare portrait watercolour by Thirtle who is known primarily for his landscapes.