Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1750s.
..one hand on his hip, the other on his dog's head. He wears a beautifully embroidered silk waistcoat; very fashionable.

Although the animal was probably his pet, in portraiture a dog represents fidelity and trust; also when included in a child's portrait it can signify how children, like animals, need to be trained and disciplined to become responsible adults.

In a wealthy gentry family such as the one to which this boy clearly belongs, correct behaviour was vastly important. Even the boy's stance is a reflection of how a gentleman should be.
BARTHOLOMEW DANDRIDGE 1691-c.1755. His initial training was at the St Martin’s Lane Academy and with Sir Godfrey Kneller, whose studio and practice he took over in 1731 after the latter’s death.

Although trained in the style of Kneller, he was amongst the first in England to respond to the innovations of the rococo which were being imported into England from France in the early and mid 1730’s. These have a liveliness of composition and lightness and freshness of palette which divides them absolutely from the style of the 1720’s.
SIZE: 36 x 31 inches framed.
PROVENANCE: Scottish Private Collection.
Verso: old label for an Edinburgh picture dealer and restorer.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1750s.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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