The Philosopher's Morning Walk (oil on canvas)

Rebecca Orpen was a talented amateur artist who married Marmion Edward Ferrers (1813-84) of Baddesley Clinton. She was prolific, working in both oil and watercolour, and much of her work remains in the house today. She and her husband lived at Baddesley with her aunt, Lady Chatterton and her husband, Edward Heneage Dering. They became known as ‘The Quartet’, revelling in art, history and their religion. On the death of their spouses, Rebecca and Edward Dering were married. This portrait shows Edward Dering holding a copy of the writings of St Thomas Aquinas, as he was studying Catholic philosophy. Baddesley Clinton, with the new wing, can be seen in the background. He is wearing the old fashioned dress, which he favoured.