Artwork Information

Mary Christina Windham was the fourth daughter of Admiral William Windham of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk. A misogynist critic once slammed Beechey for what he called 'the acres of canvas he has covered with portraits of ladies'! As a young artist favoured by George III, Beechey had been caught up in arguments with other members of the Royal Academy, such as Hoppner and the former's predecessor, William Hodges, who thought that the King took his honorary title of 'Patron, Protector and Supporter' much too literally.