SAMUEL JOHN STUMP (BRITISH 1778-1863)
Portrait of Maria Theresa Kemble "Miss Kemble"
watercolour on ivory; gold locket with solid back and inscription.
oval 70mm (in length)

Kemble is a name associated with a family of English stage actors who reigned over the British stage for decades. The sitter is Maria Theresa Kemble who was an actress on the English stage and wife of Charles Kemble (m. 1806). Charles was the youngest son of Roger Kemble

(1721-1802) Roger Kemble was born in Hereford and had twelve children. He was an actor and manager of a touring company called The Warwickshire Company of Comedians. The most famous of Charles' siblings was Sarah (1755-1831) later to become Mrs Siddons, the famous actress. Maria Theresa's brother-in-law John Philip Kemble (1757-1823) was one of the most famous stage actors in Regency Britain excelling in roles from Shakespearian Tragedy (2)

In 1779 at Drury Lane, Maria gave a performance of her own un-printed play of First Faults.

She first came to the public's attention in 1792 at The Haymarket. Whilst at Covent Garden in October 1806, she made her first appearance as a Kemble and remained at Covent Garden for the rest of her acting career. She played Beatrice in Much ado about nothing. During the years 1813 until 1815 she was not engaged with acting and retired in 1819.

1 solitary appearance in 1829 as Lady Capulet she appeared with her daughter Fanny Kemble, (1809-1893) on her debut as an actress. Other siblings of Maria's were Adelaide, an actress, and a brother John, a classical scholar.

The Artist

Samuel John Stump studied at The Royal Academy Schools in 1796. Many that sat to him were members of the theatrical profession.

Bibliography:
Engraved by J G Stodart & published by Richard Bentley 1890 & Stipple engraving published by John Bell in Bell's Weekly.

Richard Cosway by Stephen Lloyd. Portrait miniature by Cosway C. 1810