Saturday 30 July 2016

Portrait of Walpole with Busts.

 
 
Portrait of Sir Robert Walpole
with Busts of George I and George II.
 
c.1754.
 
 
Portrait of Sir Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, and Catherine Shorter, Lady Walpole.
with busts of George I and George II
 
Strawberry Hill ID: sh-000035
c.1754; frame: c. 1680
Eccardt, John Giles (British painter, d. 1779). 
Wootton, John (British landscape painter, c.1681/2-1764).
Gibbons, Grinling, attributed to (English woodcarver and sculptor, 1648-1721).
Painting
Oil on canvas, in a carved frame in the stle of Grinling Gibbons, gilt and black.
50.8 x 101.6 x 23 cm [painting]

The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University.
 History of this portrait from Strawberry Hill
Location: Blue Bedchamber
1774 Description: .... over the chimneypiece ... In a frame of black and gold carved by Gibbons, sir Robert Walpole and Catharine Shorter; small whole lengths; by Eckardt, after Zinck: the hounds and view of Houghton by Wootton. Sir Robert is sitting; by him, on a table, is the purse of chancellor of the exchequer, leaning against busts of George 1st. and 2d. to denote his being first minister to those kings: by lady Walpole are flowers, shells, a pallet and pencils, to mark her love of the arts.(37)
1784 Description: Text same as 1774 Description (28-29)
Sale Text: A very interesting and valuable picture, Portraits of Sir Robert Walpole and Catherine Shorter, Lady Walpole, small whole lengths, the former in his robes sitting, on a table near him is the purse of the Chancellor of the Exchequer leaning against busts of George I. and II., to denote his being First Minister to those kings; near Lady Walpole are flowers, shells, a pallet and pencils to mark her love of the arts; their favourite hounds in the foreground and a view of Houghton in the distance. This painting is from the united efforts of Eckardt and Wootton, and is considered a masterpiece of art; the Portraits of Sir Robert and Lady Walpole are from the miniatures by Zincke, the hounds and view of Houghton by Wootton. The black and gold frame enclosing the picture, one of the finest specimens carving, is by Gibbons, displaying with wonderful effect the arms of the family, enriched with Cupid figures as supporters, birds, fruit, grapes and foliage, most beautifully designed and perfect as a work of art. Eckardt and Wootton.
 
Provenance: Probably commissioned by Horace Walpole; 1842, Strawberry Hill Sale, day 22, lot 84, bt Marquis of Lansdowne for £51.9.0; 1930, March 7, Christie's, (Landsdowne Sale), lot 40, bt Basil Dighton, £336; 1930, June, The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University.
For Horace Walpole and Strawberry Hill and its collection see -
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This a copy of the painting and the frame from Factum Foundation exhibited at the Masterpiece fair in London 2016.
 
 
 

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