Caroline Wiggett, later Mrs Workman, aged 17
Augusta Smith, Mrs Henry Wilder (1799-1836)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
circa 1816
Materials
Black and red chalk
Measurements
273 x 190 mm (10 3/4 x 7 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Vyne Estate, Hampshire
NT 719366
Caption
Following the death of her mother, Caroline was adopted, aged three, as the niece of William John and Eliza Chute. Jane Austen’s knew Caroline’s story through her brother, who was appointed Rector of Sherborne St.John by William Chute. It is possible that Fanny Price in the novel “Mansfield Park” is based on Caroline.
Summary
Black and red chalk drawing on paper, Caroline Wiggett, later Mrs Workman, aged 17 by Augusta Smith, Mrs Henry Wilder (1799-1836).
Provenance
Given to Chaloner W. Chute (nepew of the sitter) by Miss Austen-Leigh (Emma Cassandra, eldest daughter of Emma Smith, the artist's sister) on Feb 1st 1881' (Mr Edward Austen-Leigh, vicar of Bray, was a friend of William Chute's and wrote his Recollections of the Vine Hunt); bequeathed with The Vyne, estate and contents by Sir Charles Chute, 1st Bt (1879-1956)
Marks and inscriptions
Verso: Inscribed on reverse: Drawn by Miss Augusta Smith, afterwards Mrs Wilder, and given to Chaloner W. Chute by Miss Austi[?e]n Leigh Feb 1st 1881' (Mr Edward Austen-Leigh, vicar of Bray, was a friend of William Chute's and wrote his Recollections of the Vine Hunt). Also attached to the reverse is a letter from Miss Austen Leigh to Chaloner Chute offering him this portrait of his aunt. Miss Austen Leigh will have been Emma Cassandra (Amy'), the eldest daughter of the artist's younger sister, Emma. Verso: Text of letter: A portrait of my aunt Caroline Workman as a girl was given me by the Miss Austen Leighs wih this kind letter. CWC. 2 Norfolk Crescent Hyde Park, W Feb 1st 1884 Dear Chaloner, Mary & I hope that you will accept this likeness of your Aunt, which ws taken so many years ago by our Aunt Mrs Wilder. I feel sure my dear Mother would have been glad you should have it, and that it should be again at The Vyne, where very likely the drawing was made. I think when […] Drawn by Miss Augusta Smith, afterwards Mrs Wilder. and given to Chaloner W Chute by Miss Austen Leigh. Feb 1 1881.
Makers and roles
Augusta Smith, Mrs Henry Wilder (1799-1836), publisher