Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale) (1741-1821), Writer and friend of Dr Johnson
Sitter in 14 portraits
The daughter of a Welsh landowner, Hester Lynch Salusbury married London brewer Henry Thrale (1728-81) aged twenty-two. In 1765 the Thrales were introduced to Samuel Johnson. Thereafter, Johnson spent much time at their home in Streatham where he enjoyed the lively conversation of his well-educated hostess. It was widely speculated that the two would marry when Henry Thrale died in 1781 but they became estranged when she married the Italian musician Gabriel Mario Piozzi in July 1784. Published in 1786 the first edition of Hester Piozzi's Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson sold out within a day. The writer Hannah More (1745-1833) considered its anecdotal style to be a 'new-fashioned biography'.
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Unknown Italian artist
oil on canvas, 1785-1786
On display in Room 12 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4942
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by George Dance
pencil, 1793
NPG 1151
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published June 1786
NPG D12243
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 7 April 1788
NPG D9898
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by William Daniell, after George Dance
soft-ground etching, (1793)
NPG D14717
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Marino or Mariano Bovi (Bova), published by John Stockdale, after Pierre Violet
stipple engraving printed in colours, published 1800
NPG D16112
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Jackson
stipple engraving, published 21 December 1811
NPG D13807
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Jackson
stipple engraving, published 21 December 1811
NPG D14994
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Charles William Sherborn, after Robert Edge Pine
etching, 1887 (1781)
NPG D21202
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Thomas Holloway, published by John Sewell, after Sir Joshua Reynolds
etching, published 1786 (1777-1778)
NPG D14438
by James Sayers, published by Thomas Cornell
etching, published 7 April 1788
NPG D15034
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Jackson
stipple engraving, published 21 December 1811
NPG D40230
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Jackson
stipple engraving, published 21 December 1811
NPG D40231
Hester Lynch Piozzi (née Salusbury; Mrs Thrale)
by Henry Meyer, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after John Jackson
stipple engraving, published 21 December 1811
NPG D19697
Literature, Journalism and Publishing
Groups
Bluestocking circle
Writers and critics
Places
Gwynedd
London
Related shop items
Keep in touch
