Hodges, Charles H., 1811, Oil On Canvas, Portrait Of A Young Gentleman

Portrait of a Young Gentleman, oil on canvas, by the British painter and engraver Charles Howard Hodges (Portsmouth, 1764 – Amsterdam, 1837). Hodges was particularly active in the Netherlands between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where he established himself as one of the most highly regarded portraitists of the era, becoming the official portraitist for some of the country’s most prominent aristocratic figures.

This painting fits into that context, depicting the bust of a young gentleman, elegantly dressed according to the standards of the wealthy aristocracy of the time. The figure wears a dark double-breasted coat and a refined white “jabot cravat,” likely made of lace or finely pleated cotton. The composed posture and facial expression reflect the characteristic features of Regency-era portraiture, an English painting style characterized by a refined and measured visual language, an expression of the aesthetic and social values of the European aristocracy and upper middle class, strongly influenced by the Neoclassical style prevalent on the European mainland. Particularly close to the English portraiture tradition is the color scheme, dominated by dark tones and a neutral background—techniques that focus the viewer’s attention on the young man’s face and the luminous element of the white cravat. The painting is signed in the lower left corner “Hodges feci 1811”. It is set in a contemporary box frame, finely gilded with gold leaf.

Condition: good; the painting underwent restoration during the 20th century, during which it was re-stretched and re-framed. Signs of wear and tear are due to use and the passage of time. The frame is in good overall condition.

Dimensions: with frame 74 x h 89 cm, depth 5 cm; canvas 62 x h 76.5 cm