Lovely quality painting of a gentleman in a blue coat and golden vest painted in an oval. Signed and dated 'Jos Highmore pinx:1743.
Measurements are:
30 inches x 20.75 inches plus frame
Highmore was born in London, the third son of Edward Highmore, a coal merchant, and nephew of Thomas Highmore, Serjeant Painter to William III. He displayed early ability but was discouraged by his family. At the ending of a clerkship at the age of 17, he abandoned law and started to work as a painter. On the revival of the Order of the Bath in 1725, he was selected to paint the knights in full costume. The years 1732 to 1734 were spent on a tour of the Netherlands and France and on his return to England, he applied himself to perfecting his talent, which continued for the next 50 years of his life, until his death, at the age of 87 on 3 March 1780.[1]
Highmore was buried in sheep's wool (to comply with a 17th-century statute to encourage the wool trade) in the fifth bay of the south aisle of Canterbury Cathedral.[1]
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Fabulous 18th Century Portrait of a Gentleman by Joseph Highmore Dated 1743
