'Poor Kate', a Sketch (probably 'Crazy Kate' from the 1785 poem, The Task, Book 1: The Sofa by William Cowper, 1731 - 1800)
manner of Thomas Barker (Pontypool 1769 - Bath 1847)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1800 - 1899
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
229 x 178 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Stourhead, Wiltshire
NT 732190
Caption
A crestfallen female figure is seated on a rock, wrapped in a green cloak. The frame of the painting is inscribed with the words: 'Who knows what wants the poor assail? / Who knows how little prayers avail / Then pity me! - poor KATE!' The character is probably 'Crazy Kate' from the 1785 poem, The Task, Book 1: The Sofa by the poet William Cowper (1731 - 1800), who himself suffered many episodes of insanity. Kate was a village girl whose sailor fiancé died at sea, leaving her to wander alone, go mad, 'and dream of transports she was not to know'.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, 'Poor Kate', a Sketch, in the manner of Thomas Barker (Pontypool 1769 – Bath 1847), 19th century. A full length figure is seated on a rock, wrapped in a green cloak looking towards the right and crestfallen. The frame is inscribed with the words: 'Who knows what wants the poor assail? / Who knows how little prayers avail / Then pity me! - poor KATE!' The character is probably 'Crazy Kate' from the 1785 poem, The Task, Book 1: The Sofa by William Cowper (1731 - 1800). Kate was a village girl whose sailor fiancé died at sea, leaving her to wander alone, go mad, 'and dream of transports she was not to know'.
Provenance
Acquired by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 2nd Bt (1758 – 1838); given to the National Trust along with the house, its grounds, and the rest of contents by Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare, 6th Bt (1865 – 1947) in 1946.
Credit line
Stourhead, The Hoare Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Who knows what wants the poor assail? Who knows how little prayers avail? Then pity me! - poor KATE!
Makers and roles
manner of Thomas Barker (Pontypool 1769 - Bath 1847), artist