Mrs Agnes Maclehose, 'Clarinda'. Friend and correspondent...
Mrs Agnes Maclehose, 'Clarinda'. Friend and correspondent of Robert Burns - By John Miers
One of the women intimately involved with Robert Burns, Agnes Maclehose had been separated from her husband for seven years when she met the poet at a party in Edinburgh. They wrote each other passionate letters, adopting the names 'Clarinda' and 'Sylvander'. The relationship broke off when Burns acknowledged Jean Armour as his wife. Agnes Maclehose was beautiful, witty and wrote poetry. This silhouette shows her confidently posed as if on the brink of speaking. It was made for Burns and was still in his possession at the time of his death.
