Richard Clack (British 1804-1875) after Richard Cosway, Lucy, Harriet and Caroline, daughters of William Courtenay

Richard Clack (British 1804-1875) after Richard Cosway
Lucy, Harriet and Caroline, daughters of William Courtenay
Oil on canvas
183 x 132cm (72 x 51¾ in.)

Provenance:
Property of the Morland Family, Court Lodge, Kent

The original painting by Richard Cosway dates from 1798 and is held at Powderham Castle, the seat of the Courtenay family, in Devon. It depicts Lady Caroline Courtenay, the future wife of Colonel Charles Morland, along with two of her older sisters, Lucy and Harriet (Caroline is in the centre). Cosway was a frequent visitor to Powderham and painted many members of the Courtenay family. William was good friends with the Prince Regent and Cosway was the miniaturist at the Royal Court as well as being originally from Devon.

Richard Clack who painted this version was undoubtedly a relative of the girls' mother, Frances Clack. The vast majority of the men who entered into the Courtenay family by way of marriage, ended up in some way receiving an allowance or in paid employment. In true family spirit, Colonel Charles Morland, Caroline's husband, received an amount of £1,000 a year merely for being her husband.

In this second version, the original mischievous putti are replaced by a dog which was perhaps seen as more appropriate.