A pleasing portrait of a boy aged about 14; in what was known as 'elevating the sitter' he is depicted wearing not the clothes of the late 17th century but a garment drawing its inspiration from the uniform of a Roman officer.
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There were two points to these references, firstly it showed that the sitter was a gentleman with an understanding of the world of Ancient Rome and Greece (very important and fashionable at the time) and, secondly, the wearing of this costume was supposed to impart a timeless quality to the painting.
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The artist was strongly influenced by Sir Peter Lely, but his technique shows a more loose brushwork giving a sense of immediacy and, with the closeness of the sitter, a feeling of intimacy.
SIR PETER LELY (1618 - 1680) was the dominant Court and Society portraitist of the reign of Charles ll. He was made Principal Painter to the King in 1661, and knighted in 1680.
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SIZE: canvas 19.5 x 14.75 inches
frame 27 x 23 inches
PROVENANCE: Private Collection for many years.
Verso: 19th c. inscription in ink 'P. Shalford Esq'
Pencil inscription 'Mrs. Dangerfield, Fairford, Glos'.
19th c. handwritten inventory number '8'.
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
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Sold...portrait of a Boy C. 1675; Follower of Lely
