Jonathan Richardson (London 1665 – 1745), Portrait of Hans Sloane, British physician and naturalist

Jonathan Richardson (London 1665 – 1745)

Portrait of Hans Sloane (Killyleagh 1660 – Chelsea 1753), British physician and naturalist

Oil painting on canvas

127 x 104 cm. – With large frame (small defects and losses) 166 x 144 cm.

FULL DETAILS OF THIS PAINTING (CLICK HERE)

Of great charm and prestige, the proposed portrait depicts a gentleman who perfectly embodies the English aesthetic ideal of the late Stuart era, between the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century, with that rigorous elegance and authority typical of the nobility and the British intellectual class.

This is a valuable work by the renowned painter Jonathan Richardson (1667–1745), whose style is distinguished by a sober, realistic and intellectual portraiture, which was able to redefine English Baroque painting and lead it towards the Enlightenment.

Richardson did not seek artificial idealization like his predecessors, but aimed to express the moral dignity, character and social status of his subjects through solid pictorial language and a skillful use of light.

Although there are no inscriptions revealing the identity of the sitter, the evident historical and visual points of contact allow us to recognize his features as Sir Hans Sloane (Killyleagh, 1660 – Chelsea, 1753), a famous British physician and naturalist, who in 1727 succeeded Isaac Newton as president of the Royal Society; famous for having contributed to the foundation of the British Museum in London, bequeathing to the British nation his vast collection of over 70.000 objects, including plants, natural specimens, antiquities and artefacts, thus constituting the original nucleus of the museum.

In the portrait displayed here, we grasp his extraordinary authority: beneath the inevitable and imposing eighteenth-century gray wig, his face presents proud and expressive features, marked by large, dark eyes that gaze directly at the viewer. His gaze expresses not the haughtiness of a nobleman, but rather the pride and composed wisdom of a scientist who dedicated his life to cataloging the natural world.

There are several official portraits—famous ones by Godfrey Kneller and Stephen Slaughter—in which the scientist wears the same majestic gray 'allonge' wig, brown jacket, and white tie. The proud stance, facial features, and use of color contrasts are almost identical, although each author follows his own narrative style.

Going into the details of our portrait, the refined walking stick with a precious handle on which his hand rests draws attention, an indispensable accessory for every self-respecting gentleman, which at the same time ennobles his bearing.

Another noteworthy detail is certainly the choice of setting, outdoors, with a rocky ravine to the left of the sitter, while on the right there is a glimpse of a lush garden, with large, finely detailed trees and plants: both are elements that evoke the intellectual's profound connection with nature, to which the author wanted to pay homage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The painting comes with a beautiful gilded frame and a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

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