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John Parry the Blind Harpist with an assistant holding a book of music
Like many conversation pieces, this work portrays a scene of music-making, The great harpist John Parry (1710? - 1782) was also a skilled organist and a distinguished composer. This double-portrait was painted by his son William Parry (1742-1991). The assistant may be his other son David, who was also an organist. He is holding the score to Handel's great coronation anthem 1727, Zadok the Priest, a reference to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn's particular love for Handel's music.
Miles Wynn Cato suggests that the interior depicted may be based on a room at Wynnstay, before the fire of 1858 (Cato, 2008, p.160)
Like many conversation pieces, this work portrays a scene of music-making. The great harpist John Parry (~1710-1782) was also a skilled organist and a distinctive composer. His 'British Harmony' was dedicated to Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn in 1781. The assistant may be his other son David, who was also an organist. The music book is the score of Handel's coronation anthem 'Zadok the Priest' written in 1727. Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn was an enthusiastic devotee of Handel.
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