Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert, rescued by the Voice of an Angel (after Pier...

Amelia Sophia Hume, Lady Brownlow (1788-1814). Oil painting on canvas, Hagar and Ishmael in the desert, rescued by the voice of an angel (after Pier Francesco Mola) by Amelia Sophia Hume, Lady Brownlow (1788-1814), signed and dated on the reverse 1809. Two figures, one in attitude of supplication looking at a stormy sky the other lying on the ground. Amelia Sophia Hume was born on 31 July 1788 and was the younger daughter of Sir Abraham Hume, 2nd Bt. and Lady Amelia Egerton. She was baptised on 11 September 1788 at Wormley, Hertfordshire. She married John Cust, later 1st Earl Brownlow, son of Brownlow Cust, 1st Baron Brownlow of Belton and Frances Bankes, on 24 July 1810 at St. George's Church, St. George Street, Hanover Square, London. She died on 21 February 1814 at age 25 She is commemorated by Canova's monument in Belton church. Sophia Hume evidently inherited her father Abraham's interest in Old Masters and ability to copy them. It is interesting, however, that despite the original’s following the visual tradition of showing the angel as a physical presence, she preferred to follow the Bible, which says only: “…and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee Hagar? fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is” (Genesis, xxi.17). Belton House, Lincolnshire (Accredited Museum)