Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Thomas Hudson (Devon 1701 - London 1799)
Portrait of a Notable in his Study
Oil on canvas
124 x 102 cm.
In antique frame 142 x 120 cm.
This fascinating portrait is a valuable testimony to the portraiture that flourished in England in the 18th century; London, the beating heart of a vast empire, became the centre of world trade and of industrial, economic and financial activities within a few years.
Our effigy is certainly an illustrious exponent of this period, depicted with those traits of authority and moral rigour that lead us to identify him as a prominent member of high society.
He is presumably a man of law, a lawyer, notary or magistrate, but could also be a political figure of the time or a wealthy merchant.
His charm matches the character and strong temperament with which he has been skilfully immortalised, as he consults one of the tomes placed on his sumptuously carved and gilded bureau, while in the background we see a prestigious setting with tall marble columns.
The majesty of the dress, consisting of a white smocked shirt, a waistcoat and a velvet jacket with wide lapels, indicate the high office occupied and considerable social standing.
The proposed work is attributed to the hand of the English painter Thomas Hudson, originally from Devon, although he spent much of his painting career in London, initially a pupil of Jonathan Richardson.
Hudson was very prolific between 1740 and 1760 and, from 1745 until 1755, was London's most famous portrait painter; he visited the Netherlands in 1748 and Italy in 1752. In London, he studied under the auspices of Jean-Baptiste Van Loo, whose fashionable practice he followed.
As we can see in our portrait, Hudson inherited the solemn prose of both his master Richardson and Van Loo, and his work turned to the more formal and traditional models that resisted the introduction of portraiture into the ‘genius’ exploited by Highmore and Hogarth.
Many of Hudson's works can be seen in art galleries throughout the UK, including the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, Tate Gallery, the Foundling Museum and the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
