Bust of Amelia Opie

David d'Angers (1788 - 1856)

Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

1836

Amelia Opie was a renowned figure in the literary world of the early nineteenth century and lived in Norwich for most of her life. She was a friend of Mary Wollstonecraft, Sir Walter Scott and Madame de Staël and married the artist John Opie who was closely associated with the Norwich School of artists. Opie was committed to the abolitionist cause and represented Norwich at the national anti-slavery convention. She was considered a beauty in her youth and this bust shows her as a handsome woman in her early sixties wearing the characteristic Quaker bonnet that she had started to wear after her religious conversion.

• Medium: marble
• Dimensions: 69 x 42.5 x 28cm
• Art Fund Grant: £3000 ( Total: £12,000)
• ArtFunded in: 2008
• Vendor: Christopher Woods

Provenance

Presented to Amelia Opie by David, 1836; Margaret Thompson, 1853; Sir James Alderson; Grosvenor Woods; by descent to Christopher Woods.

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