These two splendid individuals are Any Dumont and Catharina Margarethe, painted by Samuel Beck (1715-1778) in 1767. Amy Dumont, on the left, was a banker and iron wholesaler who evidently did well for himself financially. His ancestor Philippe Dumont was a founding member of Leipzig’s Reformed congregation in 1700, the family having settled in Leipzig as Huguenot refugees where they had been made welcome by the Germans who rather appreciated their skills. Catharina Margarethe, on the right, appears to be holding either a fan or an aggressively bound opera programme, either of which I could have done with in the city as it was far too hot. Her outfit is all muted finery and cautious lace, the clothing which must have been a nightmare to paint.
The paintings were donated to the museum in 2017 by members of the family who later became to be important figures in Leipzig in the nineteenth century, the couple’s daughters having married into the Melly and Thieriot families. The element that intrigued me the most here is just how welcome the Huguenot families were made, they were given special privileges because of their skills which were thought to bring an economic boost to the region. The same happened in Norwich, where large numbers came, with the city again offering a friendly welcome. I think it’s fair to say that migrants aren’t always treated with such reverence….