Portrait of Mrs Ellen Sharples

Ellen Sharples (1769-1849), Rolinda's mother, was also an artist and was particularly skilled in copying her late husband's pastel portraits. Here she is shown drinking tea, although there are also two coffee cups on the japanned tray (laquered tin-plate). As must often have happened, a silver teapot and milk jug are used instead of porcelain ones. Ellen outlived her children and her financial support was to establish what is now the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol.