What characterises 18th-century Georgian portrait painting?

Georgian portraiture of the 18th century often depicted sitters in idealised or pastoral settings, blending European Rococo influences with classicism. These works reflected social status and contemporary fashion, frequently utilising soft lighting and intricate detail in costume rendering.

What traditional materials were used in 18th-century portraits?

Paintings from this era were typically executed using oil pigments mixed with natural drying oils on hand-woven linen canvas. Frames were traditionally crafted from timber, decorated with carved plaster composition, and finished with gold leaf gilding.

How can an authentic 18th-century oil portrait be identified?

Authentic 18th-century paintings often feature natural age craquelure across the paint surface and stretcher marks from traditional wooden stretchers. The reverse may display hand-forged tacks, dark oxidised canvas, and hand-carved giltwood frame construction.

How can an antique portrait be styled in a modern interior setting?

An 18th-century portrait can be hung above a fireplace mantel or sideboard to serve as a focal point within modern or traditional interiors. Pairing historic artwork with clean contemporary architecture creates visual contrast and adds character to the space.

How should an antique oil painting on canvas be maintained?

Keep the canvas away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and heat sources to prevent cracking or warping. Dust the gilded frame and paint surface lightly with a dry, soft-bristled brush, avoiding water or chemical liquid cleaners.

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Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

Name: Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA989349
Price: 9985 GBP
Availability: InStock

18th century

For Sale by Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

Description

Oil on canvas in a fine gilt frame. Peg is probably depicted here as the beautiful dairymaid Phebe in Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'.

Accompanying the portrait is a rare book published in 1952 'Lovely Peggy'.

MARGARET WOFFINGTON (1720 – 1760), known professionally as Peg Woffington, was an Irish actress and socialite of the Georgian era.

Woffington was born of humble origins in Dublin, Ireland. It is said that she was walking through a marketplace as a pre-teen and happened upon Madame Violante, a famous tightrope walker. Signora Violante was so immediately enthralled by Peg’s beautiful face that she accompanied Peg home and asked her mother permission to take her in as her apprentice.

Around 1730, Madame Violante featured the young Woffington in her Lilliputian Theatre Company's production of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. Her performance as Macheath served as a springboard for continued fame in Dublin. She continued dancing and acting in the area – playing Dorinda in an adaptation of The Tempest at the Theatre Royal, Dublin in 1735 and later joining the Smock Alley Theatre to perform with well known actor, David Garrick. She danced and acted at various Dublin theatres until her early twenties, when her reputation drew a handsome offer from John Rich, the manager of the Covent Garden Theatre, to perform on the stages of London. There, she found immediate success, in the role of Sylvia in The Recruiting Officer.

She drew public attention when she was cast as Sir Harry Wildair, daringly wearing breeches, in The Constant Couple. Her performance was well received. She became well known as an actress thereafter. She performed at Drury Lane for several years and later returned to Dublin, appearing in a variety of plays. Her most well-received performances were in comic roles, such as elegant women of fashion like Lady Betty Modish and Lady Townley, and breeches roles.

'Peg' was supreme in comic parts but was also celebrated for her Shakespearean roles. She was known for her bitter rivalries with other actresses (she stabbed Mrs Bellamy during a performance) and for her supposed love affairs, most notably with David Garrick who wrote 'My Lovely Peggy' and other songs for her.

While in London, she began living with fellow actor Charles Macklin. During this time, she became well acquainted with the foremost actor of the day David Garrick, and her other love affairs (including liaisons with Edward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley and the MP Charles Hanbury Williams), were numerous and notorious.

John Rich, manager of Covent Garden in London, decided to start a Beefsteak Club in 1749. Some of its members included Garrick and William Hogarth, as well as many other London celebrities. Not only was Peg Woffington the first female member of a (previously) all male dining club, in 1750 she became president of the club by election. She also educated and supported her sister Mary (usually known as Polly), and cared for and pensioned her mother.

Woffington parted from Garrick around 1744, and thence moved to the Thameside Middlesex village of Teddington.

On 3 May 1757, she was playing the part of Rosalind in As You Like It when she collapsed on stage. She became paralysed and died in 1760.

ARTHUR POND (c1705-c.1758) Born about 1705, The eldest son of a London surgeon, he studied with the portrait painter John Vanderbank before entering St Martin's Lane Academy in 1720. He was most influenced, however, by the Roman Club, a group of young artists and writers under the leadership of Jonathan Richardson the elder. Pond visited Italy in 1725-7 with the painter George Knapton, the painter and poet John Dyer and the antiquary Daniel Wray.

From 1727 to about 1734 Pond lived at No. 16-17 Great Piazza, Covent Garden. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1752.

SIZE: 39 x 34 x 2.75 inches

PROVENANCE: Hendon Hall, Middlesex (former home of David Garrick)

With Peter Jones 1980s

Private Collection

Physical Dimensions

Height

99cm (38.98")

Width

86.5cm (34.06")

Depth

7cm (2.76")

Declaration

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this 18th Century Oil Portrait to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA989349

Dealers Internal Reference

9203

Description

Oil on canvas in a fine gilt frame. Peg is probably depicted here as the beautiful dairymaid Phebe in Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'.

Accompanying the portrait is a rare book published in 1952 'Lovely Peggy'.

“

MARGARET WOFFINGTON (1720 – 1760), known professionally as Peg Woffington, was an Irish actress and socialite of the Georgian era.

Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

fig 1. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 1. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

Woffington was born of humble origins in Dublin, Ireland. It is said that she was walking through a marketplace as a pre-teen and happened upon Madame Violante, a famous tightrope walker. Signora Violante was so immediately enthralled by Peg’s beautiful face that she accompanied Peg home and asked her mother permission to take her in as her apprentice.

fig 2. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 2. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

Around 1730, Madame Violante featured the young Woffington in her Lilliputian Theatre Company's production of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. Her performance as Macheath served as a springboard for continued fame in Dublin. She continued dancing and acting in the area – playing Dorinda in an adaptation of The Tempest at the Theatre Royal, Dublin in 1735 and later joining the Smock Alley Theatre to perform with well known actor, David Garrick. She danced and acted at various Dublin theatres until her early twenties, when her reputation drew a handsome offer from John Rich, the manager of the Covent Garden Theatre, to perform on the stages of London. There, she found immediate success, in the role of Sylvia in The Recruiting Officer.

fig 3. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 3. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

She drew public attention when she was cast as Sir Harry Wildair, daringly wearing breeches, in The Constant Couple. Her performance was well received. She became well known as an actress thereafter. She performed at Drury Lane for several years and later returned to Dublin, appearing in a variety of plays. Her most well-received performances were in comic roles, such as elegant women of fashion like Lady Betty Modish and Lady Townley, and breeches roles.

fig 4. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 4. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

'Peg' was supreme in comic parts but was also celebrated for her Shakespearean roles. She was known for her bitter rivalries with other actresses (she stabbed Mrs Bellamy during a performance) and for her supposed love affairs, most notably with David Garrick who wrote 'My Lovely Peggy' and other songs for her.

fig 5. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 5. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

While in London, she began living with fellow actor Charles Macklin. During this time, she became well acquainted with the foremost actor of the day David Garrick, and her other love affairs (including liaisons with Edward Bligh, 2nd Earl of Darnley and the MP Charles Hanbury Williams), were numerous and notorious.

fig 6. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 6. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

John Rich, manager of Covent Garden in London, decided to start a Beefsteak Club in 1749. Some of its members included Garrick and William Hogarth, as well as many other London celebrities. Not only was Peg Woffington the first female member of a (previously) all male dining club, in 1750 she became president of the club by election. She also educated and supported her sister Mary (usually known as Polly), and cared for and pensioned her mother.

fig 7. An eighteenth-century oil portrait on canvas depicting a woman in a striped dress and straw hat holding a basket of eggs, presented in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 7. Margaret (Peg) Woffington C.1750, by Arthur Pond. Portrait Oil on Canvas.

Woffington parted from Garrick around 1744, and thence moved to the Thameside Middlesex village of Teddington.

On 3 May 1757, she was playing the part of Rosalind in As You Like It when she collapsed on stage. She became paralysed and died in 1760.

ARTHUR POND (c1705-c.1758) Born about 1705, The eldest son of a London surgeon, he studied with the portrait painter John Vanderbank before entering St Martin's Lane Academy in 1720. He was most influenced, however, by the Roman Club, a group of young artists and writers under the leadership of Jonathan Richardson the elder. Pond visited Italy in 1725-7 with the painter George Knapton, the painter and poet John Dyer and the antiquary Daniel Wray.

From 1727 to about 1734 Pond lived at No. 16-17 Great Piazza, Covent Garden. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1752.

SIZE: 39 x 34 x 2.75 inches

PROVENANCE: Hendon Hall, Middlesex (former home of David Garrick)

With Peter Jones 1980s