16 museomag   04 ‘ 2022 
For the first time in two years, art in all shapes and forms 
could once again be admired in person at Maastricht’s 
impressive European fine art fair (TEFAF 2022). The 
MNHA was one of the institutions that benefited 
from the fair with the acquisition of two remarkable 
paintings for the museum’s international collection, 
including the splendid Leidseplein by night of 1934 by 
Dutch painter Jan Ouwersloot (1902-1975). For now, 
I would like to discuss the second work: an anony- 
mous portrait of a woman, attributed to James Latham 
(c.1696-1747), one of the major Irish artists of the 18th 
century. 
REDISCOVERED PORTRAIT OF AN 
IRISH ACTRESS AND SOCIALITE  (1/2) 
JAMES LATHAM’S PORTRAIT OF MARGARET ‘PEG’ WOFFINGTON (1720-1760) OFFERS 
A MULTITUDE OF FASCINATING STORIES TO TELL MUSEUM VISITORS 
James Latham (c.1696-1747), Portrait of a young lady, possibly the Irish actress Margaret ‘Peg’ Woffington (1720-1760), c.1745. Oil 
on canvas, 76 x 63 cm. Collection MNHA, Luxembourg 2022.