Amelia Opie (1769-1853), born in Norwich and married to the Royal Academician John Opie, was a celebrity in her day. Her husband painted several portraits of her - one is in the National Gallery - but her home city does not have one.
There is now a wonderful opportunity to acquire a beautiful and unusual double portrait of Amelia by her husband. I am leading a campaign to buy the painting and hand it over to Norwich Castle Museum where it can be put on view in the museum's celebrated art galleries.
Amelia was a best-selling novelist and poet, a committed anti-slavery campaigner and friends with writers, artists, thespians, members of the judiciary and politicians. In her 50s she became a Quaker, thanks to her life-long friendship with Elizabeth Fry, the prison reformer.
I believe many people will share my belief that Norwich should have a portrait of one of its most distinguished citizens. The owner is offering the portrait at a bargain price as he too thinks that Amelia should come home to the place of her birth.