Julia Bennet (1775–1867) was said to have been one of Girtin’s best pupils and may have been responsible for some of the better copies made from his works. A copy of On the River Taw, North Devon, Looking from Braunton Marsh towards Instow and Appledore (see TG1736 figure 1) is inscribed on the back: ‘After Girtin, a very good drawing master’ (Morris, 2002a, p.257). Bennet probably gained access to the original watercolour through her friendship with an early collector of the artist’s work, Elizabeth Weddell (1749–1831), who was her neighbour at Beckenham and acquired the work in December 1801. Bennet is now known by her married name of Gordon, having married Lieutenant-Colonel James Willoughby Gordon in 1805.

(?) 1800

On the River Taw, North Devon, Looking from Braunton Marsh towards Instow and Appledore

TG1736