The Mistress of the Arts in Rachel Trethewey’s biography is Georgina, Duchess of Bedford. She was a public figure in English society and politics at the end of eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth because of her title and the wealth of her husband.. She lived just after the time of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire whose story was told in a book which I reviewed here. Georgina was part of a long line of society women who made their mark by encouraging and supporting various political figures and influencing events behind the scenes.
Georgina and her husband were also patrons of the arts. Edwin Landseer was one of the most famous artists of his time and he and Georgina had a long-lasting affair which appears to have had a foundation of true love. It wasn’t unusual for aristocrats at this time to have lovers and it seems that the Duke also had a mistress. What is unusual is that the Duke and Duchess did love each other and lived together in more harmony than many other such couples.
This is a fascinating book of social history which includes references to politics and the arts as well as telling the personal story of the Bedford couple. The author uses letters and diary entries to good effect but they don’t overwhelm the text. I found it really readable and my paperback copy has many pictures included which help the reader to understand the artist and his aristocratic mistress.
Anne Is Reading 