Picture of the Month: August 2023

S&W Picture of the Month for August

From what at first appears an unassuming sketch unfolds a story of one of the 18th century's most important feminists and a home at the centre of an alternative, bohemian social milieu of Regency England. The estate depicted is Benham Park, at Speen just west of Newbury in Berkshire, drawn in 1800 by John Colley Nixon (c.1755–1818), one of the most notable amateur artists working in London in the late 18th century.

Benham Park was the home of Elizabeth Craven (1750–1828), author, playwright and travel writer. Elizabeth, née Berkeley, was married to William Craven, 6th Baron Craven, until his death in 1791. She included amongst her friends Horace Walpole, visiting his home at Strawberry Hill, and some of her early work was published on the Strawberry Hill Press. Elizabeth had been forced to marry William against her will aged just sixteen, and their marriage was unhappy and full of scandal. After thirteen years, seven children, and affairs reported on both sides, the couple parted permanently in 1780. Thereafter she lived at Versailles and travelled extensively on the Continent and in the Levant. In 1784 she wrote a remarkable book called Letters to Her Son, in which she denounced the laws of marriage as unjust and oppressive to women.

Whilst in Europe, Elizabeth became involved with Charles Alexander, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach. During her years at the Ansbach court, she formed an amateur theatre at court and wrote several plays in French. She went on to marry the Margrave in 1791. Back in England, they bought a house at Fulham overlooking the Thames which they called Brandenburg House. Here Elizabeth mounted numerous theatrical productions at her private theatre and also at Benham Park.

Amongst these friends was the wealthy London merchant and accomplished amateur actor John Colley Nixon. Nixon acted in many of Craven's productions at Benham and at Brandenburg House. A friend of Thomas Rowlandson and Captain Francis Grose, he was equally talented as a caricaturist and topographical artist: here sketching the inimitable Benham Park.

Stock number JY-553