Sir Henry Raeburn R.A., P.R.S.A. 1756-1823

half length, wearing a cream dress with a gold cloak

By family descent

The sitter's husband, the Marquese di Spineto (c.1774-1849), came from an old Neapolitan family.  He acted as interpreter during the celebrated trial of Queen Caroline in London in 1820, and features prominently in Sir George Hayter's large picture of the trial in the National Portrait Gallery.  That painting shows him in full flow, numbering points on his fingers during the cross-examination of Theodore Majocchi, the Queen's Italian servant, whilst Lord Grey attempts to check his verbosity.  Lady Greville wrote to Lady Morpeth on 22nd August 1820: "The interpreter is the man that delights them all.  His name is Spineto; he is an Italian teacher at one of the Universities, as quick as lightening , all gesticulation and so eager he often answers instead of the witness".