The sitter, Jane Brooke, is pictured with her spindle.
Needlework was a highly valued skill amongst the upper classes.
Jane was the daughter of Peter Brooke and his second wife Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Jonas Langford Esq of Theobalds, Hertfordshire and Antigua, British West Indies. There were two other daughters, Elizabeth and Frances.
Jane was the youngest daughter; she married, firstly, William Hulton of Hulton Park, Lancashire on 22 August 1785 and, secondly, William Tyrell Boyce Esq.
The Brooke family of Mere lived at Mere Hall, Knutsford from the 1650s until 1993. Colonel Ronald Langford-Brooke had died in 1980 and his wife Helen in 1993.
A dispersal sale of the contents, including this portrait, was held on the premises by Christie's in May 1994.
Image 8 shows Mere Hall and in Image 9 this portrait can be seen, upper right, hanging on the staircase wall.
PHILIP MERCIER (c.1689-1760)was a French painter and etcher, who lived principally and was active in England. He was born in Berlin of French extraction, the son of a Huguenot tapestry-worker. He studied painting at the Akademie der Wissenschaften of Berlin and later under Antoine Pesne, who had arrived in Berlin in 1710. Later, he travelled in Italy and France before arriving in London—"recommended by the Court at Hannover"—probably in 1716. He married in London in 1719 and lived in Leicester Fields.
He was appointed Principal Painter and Library Keeper to the Prince and Princess of Wales at their independent establishment in Leicester Fields, and while he was in favour he painted various portraits of the Royalties, and many of the nobility and gentry.
Mercier became involved in a scandal of sorts and he lost favour in c.1736 He left London around 1740 and settled in York, where he practiced portrait painting for over ten years, before returning to London in 1751. In 1752, Mercier went to Portugal at the request of several English merchants. He did not long remain there, however, but came back to London, where he died in 1760.
Mercier favoured a bright palette and painted in a distinctly French manner. Waterhouse described him as "an important figure in the introduction of French taste to England". His style influenced Ramsay, Reynolds, Charles Phillip and Henry Morland and many others.
SIZE: 39 x 33 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE:
The Brooke family, Mere Hall, Knutsford, Cheshire and by descent.
The late Helen Langford-Brooke, Mere Hall. Christie's house sale, May 1994.
Private Collection, Eaton Square, Begravia, London.
Verso: 19th c. label for a Manchester frame maker and the inventory number '35'.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art Profile Page
Sold....portrait of Jane Brooke; Follower of Philip Mercier
