The Temples of Castor and Pollux, Girgenti, Sicily; The Temple of Juno Lucina, Girgenti; The Gallery at Albano (illustrated); The Theatre at Taormina; and The Isle of Mull

Details

Madame Wilmina Maclean de Norman, née Clephane (1803-1863)
The Temples of Castor and Pollux, Girgenti, Sicily; The Temple of Juno Lucina, Girgenti; The Gallery at Albano (illustrated); The Theatre at Taormina; and The Isle of Mull
the first signed and inscribed 'Temples at Girgenti by M^me de Norman' (on the reverse of the mount); the second signed 'M^me de Norman' (lower right, on the mount) and inscribed 'Temple of Juno Lucina, Girgenti' (lower left, on the mount); the third signed 'M^me de Norman' (lower right, on the mount) and inscribed 'Gallery of Albano' (lower left, on the mount); the fourth signed with monogram, inscribed and dated 'Theatre at Taormina/20th March 1829' (lower right); the fifth signed 'M^me. de Norman' (lower right, on the mount) and inscribed 'Isle of Mull' (lower left, on the mount)
pen and brown ink and brown wash, four unframed
12¼ x 18¾ in. (31 x 47.6 cm.); and smaller (5)

Special notice

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Lot Essay

Madame Wilmina Maclean de Norman, née Clephane was one of three daughters of Major-General Douglas Maclean Clephane of Torloisk on Mull. The three sisters were protegées of Sir Walter Scott. It is recorded that 'among his most regular guests were, Mrs Maclean Clephane of Torloisk, (with whom he agreed cordially on all subjects, except the authenticity of Ossian) and her daughters, whose guardian he had become at their choice', (Lockhart, Life of Scott, 1832, chapter 9).

Wilmina was born in December, 1803. She married Baron de Norman on the 28 September, 1831 but he died of scarlet fever in April 1832. Her son William was posthumously born in August 1832. Subsequently, he became a British citizen but was killed in China in 1860.

Wilmina was an accomplished artist and there are a few of her sepia drawings at Castle Ashby.

Christie's are grateful to Peter MacKay, archivist at Castle Ashby for his help in preparing the above catalogue entry.

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