Anon artist thanks lover (9)

I believe the answer is:

inamorata

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'lover' is the definition.
(I know that inamorata is a type of lover)

'anon artist thanks' is the wordplay.
'anon' becomes 'inamo' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'inamo'+'ra'+'ta'='INAMORATA'

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(Other definitions for inamorata that I've seen before include "Woman beloved" , "loved one" , "Beloved of one another" , "6 across [BOSOM] friend" , "Female lover" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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