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Animal Magic
Where would we be without our animal companions? When looking at art in galleries, stately homes and museums around the country, we often happen upon portraits of the great, the good (and not so good) portrayed with their canine companions. Symbols of loyalty, unwavering devotion, fidelity and guidance, we have spotted dogs of all sizes and many breeds, often seen gazing adoringly at their owners. Spaniels, whippets and terriers seem popular. We’ve also seen cats, squirrels, rabbits, goats…
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10 Portraits in Shades of Grey
After the rich colours of the festive season, January seems to call for a plainer palette. So for our first Friday Fine Art of 2024 we thought you might enjoy our selection of fabulous portraits in 10 shades of grey! We’d love to know which work is your personal favourite. 1 (Lady Charlotte Boyle, Marchioness of Hartington by George Knapton) Chatsworth House 2 (Elizabeth Sidney) The Harley Foundation 3 (William Linley by Sir Thomas Lawrence) The Dulwich Gallery…
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Skating into the New Year
How are you all feeling this morning? OK, well perhaps some fresh air will help clear away any over indulgence. Let’s get our skates on and join the Reverend Robert Walker on Duddingston Loch (our thanks to The Scottish National Gallery for this iconic Caledonian painting). Or we could head to the 17th century where throngs of people are already having fun on the ice. For many the New Year heralds a fresh start, we are hoping that…
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The Graham Children (1742) by William Hogarth
So many period paintings of children depict them as mini adults or with serious demeanour. In contrast, this wonderful portrait of the four Graham children by William Hogarth, allow a glimpse of the real personalities of these young sitters. Their father was the Royal Apothecary to George II. Henrietta, the eldest, holds out cherries to the youngest brother Thomas. Sadly, he had already died by the time the painting was finished. Anna Maria is dancing to the organ…
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The Young Royalist
Charles Cavendish (1620-1643) would appear to have it all. Second son to the 2nd Earl of Devonshire and the godson of King Charles I, he was dashing, wealthy, and well-travelled. His portrait, seen here, was painted by Sir Anthony van Dyck, and truly captures his youthful promise. Sadly, it was not to be. He died fighting for the Royalist cause, in action at Gainsborough, at the young age of 23. However, his handsome features are forever immortalised in…
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Observations: The Mary Beale Collection
We were so excited about this exhibition that we visited it as soon as the doors opened! It is only in recent years that the appreciation of Mary Beale and her artwork has increased. This year, the art world was sent into a frenzy when a sleeper portrait of her son, Bartholomew, appeared at a Colchester Auction House as Italian School. It eventually sold for £100,000 and in doing so, demonstrated how the appeal of Beale’s portraits is…
