Portrait of a female member of the St John family (thought to be Angelica Magdalena Wharton, nee Pelissary, 2nd wife of 1st Viscount St John, c 1666-1736)

This portrait in the Lydiard House collection remains a mystery though it has been identified as being that of a young Angelica Magdalena Pelissary. Angelica is shown wearing a black dress trimmed with fur and a fur collar, an unfamiliar costume for a 17th century English woman and possibly of Polish influence.

Angelica was born in around 1666, one of the four children of Georges de Pellessari, Treasurer General of Marines and Superintendent of Ships and Galleys to Louis XIV, and his wife Madeleine Bibaud.

Described as shy, lacking confidence, and speaking very little English, Angelica arrived in England to marry Philip Wharton, Warden of the Mint. The marriage was of a short duration and less than twelve months after the death of Wharton, the twenty year old widow married Henry, 1st Viscount St. John.

Medium - oil on canvas

Measurements - H 126 x W 100 cm

Purchased in 1965 from Vernon St.John, 6th Viscount Bolingbroke