Pair of 1646th century English couple portraits, Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1723 – London XNUMX)

Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 – London 1723) entourage of

Pair of 18th century English married couple portraits
William Murray, 1705st Earl of Mansfield (1793 – XNUMX) and Lady Elizabeth Finch (?)

Oils on canvas (76 x 63 cm. – Framed 91 x 77 cm.)

An English married couple is immortalised in our two portraits, both dressed in a refined but not excessively sumptuous manner, revealing their belonging to an aristocratic or upper-middle-class family, presumably from London in the early 18th century.

The subjects pose naturally while observing the viewer, aware of their rank, while their lips are moved by a delicate smile, in accordance with the pictorial custom of the time which, to express a feeling, required painters to hint at emotions, without making them explicit, and therefore vulgar.

Although there are no inscriptions revealing the identities of the sitters, based on a comparison with some contemporary prints we are inclined to recognize William Murray, 1705st Earl of Mansfield (1793 – XNUMX), a British judge, politician and lawyer, best known for his reforms of English law. Considered the most prominent British jurist of the XNUMXth century, Mansfield's decisions reflected the Enlightenment and led the country towards the abolition of slavery. At his side is his wife, Lady Elizabeth Finch, youngest daughter of Daniel Finch, XNUMXnd Earl of Nottingham and XNUMXth Earl of Winchilsea, and Anne Hatton.

This is a type of portrait requested by the nobility, especially the English one, between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, where the person portrayed loved to see himself stripped of his frills, without pompous clothes, fashionable accessories or elaborate hairstyles, to demonstrate that his status and value did not depend solely on the material wealth displayed with opulence.

The paintings can easily be associated with an English painter active in the early eighteenth century, in particular from the school of Sir Godfrey Kneller, official painter of the English court and considered, together with Peter Lely and Willem Wissing, among the masters of English portraiture between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Among these, the painter James Worsdale (600 – 700) and Charles Jervas (1692 – 1767) deserve mention.

He painted every reigning British monarch from King Charles II to King George I, as well as the most important figures of British society and public life. These works, exhibited publicly in the royal palaces, were admired and so appreciated by the public, that a large group of patrons, mainly nobles, wanted his workshop to take care of their family portraits.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The works are sold complete with 2 pleasant golden wooden frames and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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