St Agnes Museum is deeply honoured to have been lent this beautiful miniature of Mary Bunn, first wife of John Opie, “The Cornish Wonder”, painted in 1794, by Truro born Henry Bone RA (1755-1834). Arguably the greatest enamel painter of all time, he became the official royal enamelist to George III, George IV and William IV. It is believed that, for this miniature, he copied a painting of Mary by John Opie which has since been lost. Mary and John later divorced.
The miniature is displayed in the Museum’s Opie cabinet alongside a superb John Opie self-portrait, his palette and paintbox, and four works by his great nephew, Edward Opie.