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This rather naive portrait by an unknown artist is one of the few in existence showing named junior staff of the Museum. Robert Cowtan (in 'Memories of the British Museum', 1872) writes that, after 33 years of service, Mrs Bygrave 'still retained the remains of a beauty that must once have been very bewitchingly attractive'. Her husband was an Assistant in the Department of Printed Books. Their son and grandson were also Museum employees.
Title
Mary Bygrave (1770–1846), Housekeeper to the Trustees, Aged 74
Date
1844
Medium
oil on panel
Measurements
H 39 x W 28.5 cm
Accession number
Painting.45
Acquisition method
purchased, 1985
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
The painting came with a statement in a 19th-century hand: Portrait of Mary Bygrave House/ Keeper to the British Museum taken / at the age of 74 years having entered / the service of the Trustees of the British / Museum in 1780 at the early age of / 10 years to assist her aunt who was / then Housekeeper which situation she had / been appointed to at the foundation of / the British Museum through Sir H Sloane / After her death through the interest of / Col. Sloane (grandson of Sir Hans Sloane) /
British Museum
Great Russell Street, London, Greater London WC1B 3DG England
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