A Portrait in Power and Pour: Tea with Lady Warwick

Considered one of the great beauties of the Victorian era, Frances "Daisy" Greville lived a life both charmed and controversial. A socialite and a socialist, a devoted mother and a well-connected mistress, she moved effortlessly through the highest circles of society, including a nine-year affair with the future king, Edward VII.

This art history lecture by Jim Welu, former Director of the Worcester Art Museum, unfolds alongside a thoughtfully curated tea service, inviting you to experience the story not just through listening, but through the senses. As we explore the remarkable portrait Lady Warwick and Her Son Maynard, painted by John Singer Sargent, guests will be served a selection of herbal teas drawn from flowers, leaves, and roots, each chosen for its aroma and character.

A two-tier presentation accompanies the lecture, delicate finger sandwiches, scones both savory and sweet, and refined sweets, offering moments to pause and reflect between chapters of Lady Warwick’s story. Fragrance, taste, and history begin to intertwine, creating a layered experience that mirrors the depth and drama of the painting itself.

Beyond the canvas, the story continues. Within less than a decade of its creation, this larger-than-life portrait left Warwick Castle and journeyed to the Worcester Art Museum, where it remains one of the museum’s most striking acquisitions.

An afternoon of beauty, power, and indulgence, where art, history, and hospitality meet at the table.