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HESTER THRALE / MEYER
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HESTER THRALE / MEYER
HESTER THRALE Friend of Dr Samuel Johnson, and wife of the brewer, Henry Thrale - she later married Signor Piozzi, her singing teacher Date: 1741 - 1821
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Media ID 20149399
© Bubblepunk
1741 1821 Bonnet Brewer Friend Hester Johnson Married Meyer Samuel Signor Singing Teacher Thrale Widow Piozzi
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative portrait captures Hester Thrale, a remarkable woman of the 18th century, who led an extraordinary life filled with art, literature, and love. Born in London in 1741, Hester Thrale first gained fame as a close friend of the renowned literary figure, Dr. Samuel Johnson. Their friendship began in the late 1760s when Hester, then a young and intelligent woman, became a regular visitor to Johnson's literary circle. Later in life, Hester married Henry Thrale, a prosperous brewer, in 1762. The Thrales enjoyed a happy marriage and had ten children together. Hester's literary connections continued to flourish during this period, and she became a patron of many writers, including Oliver Goldsmith and Edward Gibbon. In her later years, Hester's life took another unexpected turn. She began taking singing lessons from the Italian singing teacher, Giovanni Piozzi, who later became her second husband in 1780. The marriage was unconventional, as Piozzi was already married at the time, and Hester was a widow. Despite the controversy, the couple moved to Italy, where they lived until Piozzi's death in 1809. In this portrait, Hester Thrale is depicted in her widow's weeds, wearing a black bonnet and a somber expression. Her intelligence and refinement are evident in her piercing gaze, and the delicate folds of her clothing suggest the elegance of the era. The portrait serves as a poignant reminder of Hester Thrale's remarkable life, filled with friendship, love, and artistic pursuits.
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