Portrait miniature, originally thought to be of Miss Mary Russell, mourning her mother's remains; Mrs Mary Russell, nee Cocks (1748-1786) but now known to be of Margaret Cocks (b. 1773), sister of Mrs Mary Russell, painted on ivory, by Richard Cosway. Great Britain, 1787.

Portrait miniature on ivory depicting Margaret Cocks holding aloft an urn, and mourning her sister's remains. Dated by the artist.

When it was acquired by the V&A this miniature was believed to be of Miss Mary Russell mourning her mother's remains. But Miss Mary Russell was born in 1783 and was only three when her mother died in 1786, and only four when this miniature was painted in 1787. This is almost certainly a portrait of the sister of Mrs Mary Russell; Margaret Cocks (1773-1847). See Robyn Asleson, "British Paintings at the Huntington" (2001), catalogue number 10, for a related painting in oil by Richard Cosway of Margaret Cocks, holding a portrait miniature by John Smart of her sister, Mary Russell. See also Julius Bryant, "Kenwood : The Paintings in the Iveagh Bequest" (2003), catalogue number 89, for a portrait of Miss Margaret Cocks and her niece Miss Mary Russell, by Joshua Reynolds painted in 1789/90.

When the V&A acquired this miniature the subject was believed to be Miss Mary Russell mourning her mother's remains. However, Miss Mary Russell was born in 1783. She was therefore only three when her mother, Mrs Mary Russell, died in 1786, and only four when this miniature was painted in 1787. This is therefore almost certainly a portrait of Margaret Cocks (1773-1847), the sister of Mrs Mary Russell.

Richard Cosway R.A. (1742-1821) was one of the most fashionable miniature painters of the day. Around 1786 he had the honour of being made Miniature Painter to the Prince of Wales, the future Prince Regent. He also painted oil paintings.

P.51-1984