Opening Hours
Daily: 10 A.M.–5 P.M.
Closed on Tuesdays
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Paintings
Edward the Confessor Stripping His Mother of Her Effects
This small preparatory oil sketch documents the design of Mortimer’s first large history painting, completed in 1763 and now lost. For this important commission, Mortimer selected a historical subject that catered to the contemporary taste for moralizing and nationalistic themes: the conflict between the 11th-century English King Edward the Confessor and his mother, Emma of Normandy. After Emma placed Edward’s Danish
half-brother on the English throne, Edward went into exile. Upon the death of Edward’s brother, Emma conspired against Edward’s succession to the throne. To punish her, Edward seized his mother’s property and banished her. Mortimer portrays the new king standing confidently at the center of the composition, pushing aside his mother as she pleads for his mercy.
half-brother on the English throne, Edward went into exile. Upon the death of Edward’s brother, Emma conspired against Edward’s succession to the throne. To punish her, Edward seized his mother’s property and banished her. Mortimer portrays the new king standing confidently at the center of the composition, pushing aside his mother as she pleads for his mercy.
