ENGLISH SCHOOL (early 18th century)
Portrait of a Gentleman, possibly John Rawdon 3rd Bt., wearing white stock, red cloak, and blue jacket with slashed sleeves trimmed with gold, his hair powdered
circa 1710
Oil on copper
Oval, 78 mm. (3 in.) high
Gilded frame, the reverse with inscription on label with sitter’s name
£7,500
+44(0)7983510056
This work belongs to the English school, though its style is similar to known works by Christian Richter (1678-1732), a Swedish born miniaturist who moved to London at the age of 24. Richter was largely known for his work produced on vellum or enamel. Painting in oil on copper, the unknown artist has been able to attain highly saturated and luscious colours, especially in the sitter’s clothing, which is caused by the lack of absorbency of a material like copper.
Aside from his name, little is known about the identity of the sitter. Historically, he has been identified through a label on the reverse of the miniature’s frame, which seems to have been misread as ‘Baurdon’, though upon closer inspection, it is more likely that the label on the reverse reads ‘Rawdon’. This suggests that the sitter is in fact John Rawdon, 3rd Baronet, who was alive when Richter was active. He married Dorothea Levinge, who would go on to marry Charles Cobbe, Archbishop of Dublin (d.1765), after Rawdon’s death. His son, also John Rawdon, became 1st Earl Moira and an Irish Peer.
Aside from his name, little is known about the identity of the sitter. Historically, he has been identified through a label on the reverse of the miniature’s frame, which seems to have been misread as ‘Baurdon’, though upon closer inspection, it is more likely that the label on the reverse reads ‘Rawdon’. This suggests that the sitter is in fact John Rawdon, 3rd Baronet, who was alive when Richter was active. He married Dorothea Levinge, who would go on to marry Charles Cobbe, Archbishop of Dublin (d.1765), after Rawdon’s death. His son, also John Rawdon, became 1st Earl Moira and an Irish Peer.
Philips, Watercolours and Miniatures, 11 November 1997, lot 237 (as English School, circa 1710);
With D.S. Lavender Antiques, 1999;
Private collection.
With D.S. Lavender Antiques, 1999;
Private collection.
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