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ID #SA1231419
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£5,500
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Portrait Oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the Studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds Circa 1782
Miles Barton Art and Interiors
for sale €6,435     $6,985
£5,500

Miles Barton Art and Interiors

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2026
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    British and european pictures and works of art from the 17th to 20th century
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Portrait Oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the Studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds Circa 1782

18th century
Description

Oil on canvas; held in period giltwood frame

Canvas: 63.5 x 76.2 cm (30 x 25 in)

Framed: 91 x 80 (36 x 31 ½ in)

Provenance: Philip Mould, Ltd; Tony Banks, Lord Stratford (1942-2006); Bonhams ‘The Tony Banks Collection’ May 3rd 2007 lot 57; an English Noble Collection

The portrait presented here is a head and shoulders version of the three-quarter length portrait of 1782 (Holkham Hall) by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) and was painted in his studio sometime around this date. It was the most widely circulated image of Fox particularly after it was printed in mezzotint in 1784 and proved the most popular with his army of devotees, political allies and followers. The original depicts Fox in a white waistcoat, but derivations from it such as the present example show a buff waistcoat, reflecting the blue and buff colours of George Washington’s army, which from the inception of the American war of Independence became the uniform of the Fox club and during the war with the colonies the badge of the entire Whig party.

Charles James Fox (1749–1806) was a towering British Whig statesman, legendary orator, and Britain’s first Foreign Secretary who spent nearly 30 years in opposition as the fierce arch-rival of Tory Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Described by Edmund Burke as “the greatest debater the world ever saw”, Fox consistently defended his liberal ideals and fought enthusiastically against oppression and religious intolerance.

A passionate champion of liberty, he defended civil rights at home by securing the landmark Libel Act, 1792 to protect free speech, while boldly backing the American and French revolutions abroad. He also became an anti-slavery pioneer by leading the parliamentary fight against human trafficking, introducing the vital motion in 1806 that directly paved the way for the abolition of the slave trade.

Beyond politics, Fox was a charming rogue of the Georgian era, renowned for his massive gambling debts, scandalous love life, and an immense personal charisma that made him one of the most loved and satirised figures of his age.

Physical Dimensions
Height
91cm (35.83")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Declaration

Miles Barton Art and Interiors has dated this Georgian Oil Portrait Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1231419
Description
Oil on canvas; held in period giltwood frame

Canvas: 63.5 x 76.2 cm (30 x 25 in)

Framed: 91 x 80 (36 x 31 ½ in)

“
Provenance: Philip Mould, Ltd; Tony Banks, Lord Stratford (1942-2006); Bonhams ‘The Tony Banks Collection’ May 3rd 2007 lot 57; an English Noble Collection.
Miles Barton Art and Interiors
fig 1. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 1. Portrait Oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the Studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds Circa 1782

The portrait presented here is a head and shoulders version of the three-quarter length portrait of 1782 (Holkham Hall) by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) and was painted in his studio sometime around this date. It was the most widely circulated image of Fox particularly after it was printed in mezzotint in 1784 and proved the most popular with his army of devotees, political allies and followers. The original depicts Fox in a white waistcoat, but derivations from it such as the present example show a buff waistcoat, reflecting the blue and buff colours of George Washington’s army, which from the inception of the American war of Independence became the uniform of the Fox club and during the war with the colonies the badge of the entire Whig party.

fig 2. An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.
fig 2. Portrait Oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the Studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds Circa 1782

Charles James Fox (1749–1806) was a towering British Whig statesman, legendary orator, and Britain’s first Foreign Secretary who spent nearly 30 years in opposition as the fierce arch-rival of Tory Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Described by Edmund Burke as “the greatest debater the world ever saw”, Fox consistently defended his liberal ideals and fought enthusiastically against oppression and religious intolerance.

A passionate champion of liberty, he defended civil rights at home by securing the landmark Libel Act, 1792 to protect free speech, while boldly backing the American and French revolutions abroad. He also became an anti-slavery pioneer by leading the parliamentary fight against human trafficking, introducing the vital motion in 1806 that directly paved the way for the abolition of the slave trade.

Beyond politics, Fox was a charming rogue of the Georgian era, renowned for his massive gambling debts, scandalous love life, and an immense personal charisma that made him one of the most loved and satirised figures of his age.

Height
91cm (35.83")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Date of Manufacture

Miles Barton Art and Interiors has dated this Georgian Oil Portrait Painting to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1231419
Miles Barton Art and Interiors
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2026

British and european pictures and works of art from the 17th to 20th century

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Miles Barton Art and Interiors Profile Page

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An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.
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Archive I An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.

Portrait Oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the Studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds Circa 1782

Archive II An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame. View II
Archive III An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame. View III
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Miles Barton Art and Interiors
Telephone 07941 233015
Location
London and Somerset
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/milesbarton
Verified Since Aug 2026
Items For Sale 11
Miles Barton Art and Interiors
Verified Since Aug 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: London and Somerset, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/milesbarton
Verified
Aug 2026
For Sale
11
An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.
Portrait oil of Charles James Fox (1749-1806) by the studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds circa 1782
Ref: SA1231419
An 18th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman in a blue coat, presented inside a beaded giltwood frame.
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Detail View 2
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FAQs

Late 18th-century British portraiture is defined by grand manner compositions, rich oil glazes, and formal attire reflecting the sitters social standing. Artists often incorporated theatrical background drapery and atmospheric lighting to highlight the subjects posture and facial character.

Portraits of this era were executed using oil paint on hand-woven linen or hemp canvas stretched across wooden strainers. The surrounding frames were constructed from carved timber or composition plaster finished with gold leaf over a coloured bole ground.

Authenticity is evaluated through craquelure patterns consistent with natural aging, oxidisation on wooden strainers, and historical pigment analysis. Hand-forged tacking nails, original canvas weaves, and traditional gilding techniques on the frame provide further physical evidence.

An antique oil portrait can be positioned as a central focal point above a mantelpiece, console table, or within a curated gallery wall. Placing classic portraiture alongside minimalist modern furniture creates an engaging visual contrast in contemporary living spaces.

Keep the canvas away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and fluctuating heat sources to prevent varnish yellowing and canvas tension loss. Surface dust should be removed lightly using a soft, dry camel-hair brush, avoiding liquid cleaners or abrasive cloths.
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