Maria Bell

Lady Maria Bell (née Hamilton; 26 December 1755 – 9 March 1825) was an English amateur painter (in oils) and sculptor.

Maria Hamilton was born in Chelsea, London, the daughter of William Hamilton, an architect from a Scottish family, and his wife Sarah.^[1] She was the pupil of her brother William Hamilton RA. She also received instruction from Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose pictures she copied with much skill. She copied likewise the works of Rubens at Carlton House, including the 'Holy Family,' which was highly commended.^[2]

Around 1808 she married Sir Thomas Bell (1751-1824), leather merchant and later sheriff of London, who was knighted in 1816, and whose portrait was engraved by William Dickinson after a painting by her. Between the years 1809 and 1824 she exhibited at the Royal Academy and elsewhere several figure-subjects and portraits, among the latter being in 1816 those of Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Baronet, lord mayor of London, and of her husband. She also practised modelling, exhibiting two busts at the Royal Academy in 1819.^[2]

Lady Bell died in Dean Street, Soho, in 1825.

Her own portrait was engraved by Edward Scriven from a miniature by W. S. Lethbridge.^[2]

English women painters from the early 19th century who exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art