Records show that a significant change occurred in the life of Lady
Anson starting 1750, that is, shortly after her first contact
with the Count of St. Germain in 1749.
1750 is the year in
which Lady Anson seems to have had a particular interest in Poussin and
Shepherds, and which seems to provide a mysterious context for the
monument, its Poussin relief, and its inscription.
The interest of the
Anson family in the works of Nicolas Poussin is further stipulated by
the portrait
Thomas Hudson made of
Lady Elizabeth Yorke Anson in 1751 (shown above). In this painting she is holding a
copy of Poussin’s first version of “The Shepherds of Arcadia”.
The Count of St. Germain returned to England in 1760
after his brief stay in Paris.
Elizabeth Yorke (Lady Anson) wrote a letter to Thomas Anson
dated May 2nd 1760 revealing to him the secret conversation
she had with the Count:
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"I am whispered, as a secret, that he tells some odd things, &
says more: He talks of his own general Benevolence, meaning no
harm to any country; wishing well to France; would have assisted
the French King if he would have followed his advice & relieved
his subjects from the weight of Taxes; says he has it in his
power to give the King of France more than his Majesty can give
him; with other such hints that seem to mean the Great
Secret…..” |