A Regency Romance
The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honour to impart to you; Oxburgh are to welcome back newly weds Thomas and Agnes Molyneux-Seel from their year long grand tour honeymoon in Europe.
In 1823, Agnes Bedingfeld was engaged and later married to Thomas Molyneux-Seel. Following their marriage, the couple embarked upon a year long 'Grand Tour' honeymoon across Europe and whilst there, commissioned portraits by renowned artist Ferdinando Cavaller.
The paintings were bequeathed to the National Trust in 2022 and over the last 12 months have undergone restoration work as well as the creation of a new frame for Agnes using centuries -old red listed crafts. To celebrate their long awaited return to Oxburgh, the portraits of Agnes and Thomas will take centre stage in our new exhibition ‘A Regency Romance’ which explores the language of love during the era and their relationship through extracts from letters, diaries and collection objects, including a pair of miniature portraits of the couple painted shortly after their engagement and a set of decanters and glasses that they purchased on honeymoon.
You can find out more about the restoration of the portraits and the process of building a new frame for Agnes here: Regency romance exhibition Oxburgh Estate | National Trust
The exhibition opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 17 January and daily from Saturday 14 February, from 10.30am – 3pm (last entry at 2.15pm).