18th century pictures bought for public display
FASCINATING portraits of two 18th century Maxonians are to go on display at a Macclesfield museum.
The paintings are of brother and sister-in-law John Stafford and Barbara Tatton, who are pictured in all their Georgian finery by artist Joseph Wright of Derby.
John Stafford lived at Cumberland House and was burgess and town clerk of Macclesfield, and agent to the Earl of Derby.
He was in this role when Bonnie Prince Charlie entered the town in 1745.
Stafford’s son and sonin-law were also in a silk mill partnership with Charles Roe, which unfortunately ended in bankruptcy.
Barbara Tatton, who is pictured wearing an outfit of fine Macclesfield silks, was born in Macclesfield and is the daughter of William Tatton of Wythenshawe Hall. Little is known about Barbara, whose sister Lucy married John Stafford.
The paintings were bought at Lawrences Auction House in Somerset last month and are on display at The Old Sunday School. They were bought thanks to funding from the Art Fund, Arts Council England, Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and The Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage.
Vicky Griffiths, communication and engagement officer for the museums, said: “We’re really excited to be able to share this good news with you – Macclesfield Museums now has two portraits painted c.1770 of local people by acclaimed artist Joseph Wright of Derby.
“With the funding from a number of sources, we’ve been able to buy portraits of John Stafford and Barbara Tatton, 18th century Macclesfield folk; they have previously been held in private collections, but now they’ll be on display in The Old Sunday School for everyone to enjoy, as of December 1.”
Joseph Wright of Derby was a commercially successful portraitist, painting many leading industrial figures.
He painted the pair around 1770, along with Stafford’s daughters Lucy and Penelope, and Macclesfield industrialist Charles Roe, which is currently on long term loan to Macclesfield Museums.
Macclesfield Museums is now raising money to have the portraits cleaned and their frames conserved.
The Old Sunday School is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, admission is free.
For more information or to find out how you can support the museum, contact events@silkmacclesfield.org.uk or go to silkmacclesfield.org.uk.