Mrs Ann Twells

Mrs Ann Twells, wife of Rev John Twells d1785. This painting and that of Rev John Twells are attributed to Johann Zoffany (1733-1810), who was a leading portraitist in England at the end of the 18th century. Zoffany painted portraits for some of the most illustrious people of his time, including King George and Queen Charlotte. The curator at Hope College is still researching Zoffany, but if it turns out that he mainly painted aristocrats and well-known London society people, one of his questions will be if and how he (or his studio) could have painted portraits for the rector of a small church in Norfolk. Were Rev. and Mrs Twells socially prominent people? Were they wealthy or well-connected in London society? It is difficult to see in the photos, but Rev. and Mrs Twells are both wearing luxurious-looking silk garments and Mrs. Twells has her hair done up in what was a most fashionable coiffure in the 1770s.