Portraits in the Dining Room, Newburgh Priory

Slide 16 – The room is also notable for its fine panelling, its magnificently-carved door framing and several notable pictures. Chief of these are three oil painings hung at the east end of the room. The centre one is a portrait of Sir George Wombwell Bart., died in 1855, and the one to the right is Lady Ann Wombwell, his wife. This is painted by Romney. At the time of my visit to Newburgh the following story was told me relating to this picture. A great Art dealer who said he regarded this as the finest Romney in England offered no less than £20,000 for it. Sir George thought that £20,000 was a very large sum and a fine offer and was considering the matter when Lady Julia remarked, “Surely, Sir George, you would not sell your Grandmother”? “ No I won’t “, said Sir George, and the dealer had to leave without the picture. The picture on the left is by Hopner and shows a portrait of Mrs Orby Hunter.