painting (oil): ["Mrs. Gwynne and Mrs. Bunbury as The Merry Wives of Windsor"]

A horizontal, oval study of two women, half length, in fancy dress in a landscape setting. The woman on the left, presumably Mrs Gwynne, looks at her sister, who is facing outward. Both are dressed similarly, with hair piled high; a small hat with feathers, beads and ribbons; large stand-up dagged-edged lace collars and full, puffed sleeves with lace cuffs; a long strand of pearls. Mrs Gwynne appears to be gesturing toward her sister, who holds a large white feather to her chest. Windsor Castle appears in the background. They are dressed up as characters from Shakespeare's, "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in an 18th century idea of Tudor costume. The ladies were sisters, the Misses Horneck, daughters of Captain Kane Horneck and his wife Hannah. Mrs Gwynne, born 1754, married General Francis Gwynne, equerry to George III, in 1799. Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte, died 1840. Known as the "Jessamy Bride" from verses written on her by Goldsmith, a friend of the Horneck family.