Back to search results

MARY BAYLEY FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM

Creator(s):

Currently in storage


About this object

Mary Bayley (1801-1878) was born in England to Daniel Bayley of Manchester and Maria Barbara Fock of St. Petersburg, Russia. When her father was appointed British Consul-General at St. Petersburg and agent of the Russia Company (an English trading company) in 1812, the family relocated to the Russian capital. Mary therefore frequently mingled with members of the city’s diplomatic community, including the Middletons. Eleanor Middleton’s social diary for 1823-1825 reveals, for instance, that she dined with the Bayleys on a number of occasions. Daniel Bayley remained at his posts until his death in 1834. It is possible that Mary and her mother returned to England at that time, for they are recorded as living there in subsequent years. Mary never married and died in Leamington in 1878.

The half-length portrait presents Mary Bayley with her body facing partly left and her face and eyes turned towards the viewer, against a light grey-neutral background. Her right arm leans against a red-purple cushion. Her dark hair is elaborately styled in an Apollo knot. She is dressed in a blue-green dress with a white collar with large ruffles. Her only jewelry is a pair of gold antique-style pendant earrings and a gold belt buckle.

Object name:
MARY BAYLEY FROM THE MIDDLETON WATERCOLOR ALBUM
Made from:
Watercolor on paper
Date made:
1820-1834
Size:
H. 8 in., W. 6 1/2 in.

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
52.39.38
Signature marks:
Inscription Miss Bayley Bottom of page In cursive
Credit line:
Museum Purchase, 2004