Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
The young man looks directly at the viewer, his wig fashionably tied in a club.
This is the age of the 'Augustan' portrait (1690-1744) when the sitter expected to be 'elevated'...an expression of gravitas behind which was culture and intelligence. This was the English way...not for them the smiling, sometimes simpering, expressions painted by the French.
..bestowed indifferently on every Age and Degree of either sex. The Toujours Gai appeared even in Judges, Bishops and Privy Counsellors.."
WILLIAM VERELST (active 1734-c.1756) was born in England, of Netherlandish stock. His father was Harman Verelst, a portrait painter who came to England in 1683, part of the famous family of artists....Pieter(1), Harman, Pieter(2), John, Maria, Simon and William.
William was a painter of portraits and conversation pieces; he was said to be the best portraitist of the Verelst family.
SIZE:36.5 x 31 inches.
PROVENANCE: Collection of a Lady, Northumberland.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1700s.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of a Gentleman C.1735; Attributed to William Verelst.
