Very little is known about the life of the sitter, lady catherine. She was one of nine children of samuel dickson of ballynaguille (c. 1738–1818), co. Limerick, and mary norris of limerick city. In 1811 she married sir robert bateson, 1st baronet (1782–1863) of belvoir park and moira park, co. Down. Hailing from a lancashire family who emigrated to ireland in the mid-eighteenth century, bateson, who was educated at trinity college, cambridge, was an avowed protestant who took an active part in the politics of northern ireland. In his earlier political career sir robert was noted for opposing increased irish taxes, the introduction of english poor laws and abolition of the lord lieutenancy. His efforts were further rewarded with a barony in 1818. He later served as deputy-lieutenant of co. Down and represented londonderry from 1830 to 1842. Catherine and robert's second surviving son and heir thomas was later honoured with the title of baron deramore of belvoir, the family's home, in 1888. Despite being painted by lawrence, catherine lived to see the age of photography, as her likeness was captured by the photographer camille silvy (1834–1910) at the age of seventy-five in 1862. Date: 19th century. Dimensions: 91.5 x 71.7 cm.; 36 x 28¼ in.. Medium: oil on canvas. Portrait of Lady Catherine Bateson (1787–1873) by Thomas Lawrence
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