Back to search results

LADY ANNE DISBROWE, NÉE KENNEDY, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Creator(s):

Currently in storage


About this object

Lady Anne Disbrowe (née Kennedy) (1795-1855) was born of one of the first international marriages to take place in the United States. Her father was the younger son of a Scottish peer and her mother, the daughter of a wealthy American merchant. She and her parents lived in New Jersey for several years before moving to England. Anne married Sir Edward Cromwell Disbrowe, a British diplomat, in 1822 (52.39.33) and gave birth to nine children. The Disbrowes moved to St. Petersburg in 1825 when Sir Edward was named British Minister Plenipotentiary to the Russian court. Though they remained in Russia for only three years, Anne and her husband became a regular part of the Middletons’ social circle. In letters to her relatives, she imparts details of their visits and outings together. Anne’s correspondence also references Eleanor Middleton’s failing health and subsequent death in 1827. Anne accompanied her husband to new posts in Scandinavia and the Continent until his death in 1851. She then returned to England, where she died in 1855. Her daughter later published the letters she wrote while in St. Petersburg—these continue to offer scholars valuable commentary on events such as the Decembrist revolt as well as diplomatic life in early 19th-century Russia.

Lady Anne Disbrowe facing partly right, eyes looking forward, against a neutral background. Her red-blonde hair is covered by a large pink hat decorated with pink and white feathers save for the ringlets arranged around her face. She wears a black dress partly covered by a striped shawl. Her only jewelry is a pair of pear-shaped pendants earrings and a long gold chain with a monocle.

Object name:
LADY ANNE DISBROWE, NÉE KENNEDY, FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
Made from:
Watercolor on paper
Date made:
1825-1828
Size:
H. 7 5/8 in., W. 6 in.

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
52.39.34
Signature marks:
Inscription Lady Disbrowe Bottom of page In cursive
Credit line:
Museum Purchase, 2004