Anne Merry (née Brunton) as Horatia in Whitehead's 'The Roman Father'
- Artist: John Bell
- Artist: Richard Cosway
- Artist: William Satchwell Leney (Lenney)
- Date: 1792
- Medium: etching
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Anne Merry (née Brunton)
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is a portrait of the actress Anne Merry (née Brunton) in her stage role as Horatia from Whitehead’s play *The Roman Father*. You can see her poised, eyes bright and lips slightly open, holding a small fan that hints at dramatic action. She wears an elegant costume of the period: a finely patterned jacket, layered sleeves and a lace collar, all rendered in careful lines that capture fabric folds and texture. A sparkling tiara rests on her head, its gemstones caught by the linework to give a subtle sparkle.
The image is an etching completed by William Satchwell Leney (sometimes called Lenney) in 1792, based on a miniature by Richard Cosway. The final print was published by John Bell later that year. The engraving shows Leney’s deft use of cross‑hatching to create depth while preserving the delicate detail of costume and jewelry.
Because it reproduces a stage portrait, the work offers a glimpse into early nineteenth‑century theatrical fashion and the practice of recording actors in character. It was made for publication; the plate was printed by Bell’s workshop and distributed widely, so many people could see this likeness beyond a single studio session.
See it in person
Anne Merry (née Brunton) as Horatia in Whitehead's 'The Roman Father' is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
