Lot 145: Samuel Lover RHA (1797-1868) MISS O'NEILL AS

Samuel Lover RHA (1797-1868) MISS O'NEILL AS 'JULIET' watercolour with gum arabic 17 by 13cm., 6.5 by 5in. Exhibited: Loaned to the Science and Art Museum, Dublin, c.1877-1900 (label on reverse) In the original frame of J. D. Spence, 7 Lower Sackville Street, Dublin. Elizabeth O'Neill was a successful Irish actress. Born in 1791, her father was the manager of a small theatre company. Reared for the stage, she played in Belfast, Dublin, Londonderry and Newry, before appearing in the role of Juliet at Convent Garden in 1814. Acclaimed as the successor of Mrs Siddons, she won rapturous praise. Macready wrote of "the spirit of perfect innocence and purity that seemed to glisten in her speaking eyes and breathe from her chiselled lips". In 1819 she married Sir William Wrixon Beecher, MP for Mallow, and thence retired to a quiet life. She died in 1872. A later portrait of her, by William John Newton, is in the collection of the National Gallery (NGI 2206). The present work appears to be the earliest known portrait of Lady Wrixon Beecher. Lover most likely became acquainted with her in London, where he forged a successful career as a poet, painter and impresario. With thanks to Paul Caffrey for his help in cataloguing this work.