Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
This is an extremely fine quality portrait and an excellent example of Knapton's best work.
The union produced six children, one of whom died in infancy. The Hewitts are an ancient family, and the family tree that accompanies this portrait traces their ancestry back to the 1200s, and then, rather more sketchily (and perhaps hopefully) to Charlemagne the Great in the 8th century.
GEORGE KNAPTON (1698–1778) was an English portrait painter, he was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, the son of William Knapton Esquire of Brockenhurst, Hampshire. He studied art under Jonathan Richardson, then at the St. Martin's Lane Academy. He spent some years in Italy where he became known as a sound judge of the works of the Old Masters. An account of his visit to Herculaneum was published in the "Philosophical Transactions" of 1740 (no. 458).
Knapton was an original member of the "Society of Dilettanti" and their first portrait artist. He painted many members of the society, including the Duke of Dorset, Viscount Galway, Sir Francis Dashwood, the Earl of Holdernesse, Earl of Bessborough and Sir Bourchier Wray. Knapton resigned his position at the society in 1763.
In 1750, the then Prince of Wales commissioned Knapton, together with George Vertue, to produce a catalogue of the pictures at Kensington Palace, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. In 1765, he succeeded Stephen Slaughter as Surveyor and Keeper of the King's Pictures; he was also in charge of Lord Spencer's collection at Althorp, Northamptonshire.
SIZE: 39 x 33.5 x 2 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE: By direct descent through the family.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of Letitia Hall, C1775, by George Knapton.
