18th Century English Portrait Of A Gentleman - Studio By Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792)

A fine large and atmospheric 18th century English portrait of an as yet unknown gentleman from the studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792)

The subject in the portrait has traditionally been identified as Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby and Archbishop of Armagh (c.1708-1794), Reynolds is known to have painted Robinson, one of Ireland’s most senior prelates, on at least three different occasions (examples can be found in collections including those of Christ Church, Oxford, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham), however research has confirmed that this portrait does not correspond to any of these known types.

It is clear from the sitter’s attire however, that he was a prominent man in mid-to-late eighteenth-century British society. His simple brown frock coat is made of rich velvet and he sits at a chair that is luxuriously upholstered in silk. That the sitter is shown seated at his desk, with quill, paper and inkstand and the ready, is a convention that was frequently used in Georgian portraiture to indicate that he was a man of letters

This pose was, for instance, used in several works by Reynolds’s master, Thomas Hudson (c.1701-1779), such as his portrait of John Milner in the Foundling Museum, London. One unusual quality of this portrait is the expression of reflection upon the sitters face. He appears to be lost in deep contemplation and perhaps this is related to the snuff box in his hand? It likely contained a portrait of a close family member, and he may, we might reasonably infer from his demeanour, be mourning their loss.

The pale colouring of the sitters face in particular makes this portrait comparable with other works by Reynolds, whose frequent experiments with pigments meant that the colours in the face could at times start to fade even during the sitter’s lifetime (and to the considerable distress of his patrons). Other indications of the hand of a skilled artist are the spirited rendering of the sitter’s lace cuffs and of the curls of his wig.

This painting was exhibited as such at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum (now the de Young Museum) in San Francisco, as Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby and Archbishop of Armagh (c.1708-1794) by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) and at this point its owner was listed as being the prominent art dealer Dr. Siegfried Aram.

Some scholars, have suggested that this portrait might include the hand of Reynolds himself, although it must be noted that this work was not included in David Manning’s comprehensive catalogue raisonné.
This fine oil on canvas is in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang in a later 19th century swept gilt composition frame.

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Canvas: 49” 1/2” x 39 1/2” / 126cm x 100cm
Frame: 61” x 51” / 155cm x 130cm