with love, pope makes love to lady mary wortley montagu

It was a wise choice to paint Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in such bright colours.
Thanks to this, I didn’t notice the person to the right right away. At first, it was the silhouette of someone sitting on a chair, the persons hair and then the facial expression. My first thought was, what could the judge have said to make the person he’s with start to laugh at him? And what did he say to make THAT face? He must’ve said something that he shouldn’t have?

I believed that the man was a judge based on the outfit and the fact that this painting was completed in 1852. But upon further investigation, it turned out to be Alexander Pope and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. And oh boy, did he say something that he should’ve kept to himself.

William Powell Frith, ’Pope makes love to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’ (1852)

Made by English painter William Powell Frith (1819-1909), this is the moment that Alexander professes his love for Lady Mary and the moment a friendship ended and an enemy was established. Perfect for the month of February and its association with Valentines Day, don’t you think?

If you wish to learn more:
Art Deco – This Painting Made Everyone Cringe. Here’s Why.

Other paintings I’ve written about: Lover of art
In a roman osteria
The lunatic of Etretat
William-Adolphe Bouguereau
The swing
Soir bleu
Italian Osteria Scene, Girl welcoming a Person entering