Art Funded by you

William 3rd Viscount Courtenay

Richard Cosway, c. 1793

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM), Exeter

William Courtenay inherited the title of 3rd Viscount Courtenay of Powderham and later revived the title of Earl of Devon for the Courtenay family. His relationship with William Beckford of Fonthill caused a nationwide scandal and forced Beckford to depart on an extended Grand Tour of Europe. Courtenay was a significant patron of the arts and notorious for his extravagance. He was responsible for the addition of the Music Room in Powderham Castle near Exeter and was one of Cosway's most important patrons. The castle is still owned by the Courtenay family today. The museum had been searching for an important miniature by Cosway of a sitter with close connections to Devon and Exeter for some time.

More information

Title of artwork, date

William 3rd Viscount Courtenay, c. 1793

Date supported

2010

Medium and material

Watercolour on ivory

Dimensions

Height: 7.2 cm

Grant

7000

Total cost

24500

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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