WD4409

Half-length miniature potrait of John Athanass, wearing a white stock and black coat.

Inscribed on paper pasted to back of miniature: ‘This miniature is taken of Mr Athanass for his youngest Daughter out of pure filial affection to him. H.K.’ [i.e. Harriett Keatinge]’ Mr Athanass Esqr.[Taken in his 63rd year by] W.J.L. Hudson pinxt. Calcutta Augt 28th’ ‘1827’. The bracketed words have been added later in the same hand. Another label pasted to a copper backing sheet inside the frame is inscribed: ‘John Athanass Esqre. taken in the 67th year of his age - Augt. 28th 1827- Obt. 6 minutes after 8 Tuesday Evg. 1 Septr. 1835.’

Water-colour on ivory in the original red leather frame; 9.5 by 7.5 cm.

Note: John Athanass, born in 1753, was a wealthy Greek merchant in Calcutta. He had at least six children, George (1790-1809), Sophia (1791-7), John (b.1794), Charlotte (b.1788), another Sophia (b.1801), and Harriett (b.1802). His wife’s name was Mary and although the death is recorded of a Mary Athanass in Calcutta in June 1801, this must be either another child or a relation, given that Harriett was born in April 1802. John had a brother, Manuel, also a merchant, who was married in Calcutta in 1799 and later lived at Dacca, and described by John as being ‘rich and opulent.’ John Athanass built a large number of houses in Calcutta, mainly around Park Street, in one of which he lived while the others were let out. He left three adjoining houses, 2-4 Elyssium Row, to his three surviving daughters, Charlotte, Sophia and Harriett, in his will, along with the bulk of the rest of his fortune but there is no mention of his wife still being alive. He left a legacy to his housekeeper, whom he called Bibi Hannah, or Bibi Ramah, and who was described as the ‘lady of the late Mr. Athanass’ when she died in 1837, aged 67. Another legacy was made to a Prudence, or Prudentia, born in the Athanass house, and who was given a dowry by John Athanass when she married in 1810. She may have been a daughter by Hannah, as her legacy was couched in the same terms as those to the other three girls. There was obviously some confusion about John Athanass’s age. It is given as 82 on his burial record and on his tombstone in South Park Street cemetery, which would make him 74 in his portrait, although his age is given as both 63 and 67 in the inscriptions.