James Caulfield, Lord Charlemont, later 1st Earl of Charlemont (1728-99)
File Type:
JPEG imageItem Type:
ImageDate:
1982-06-08Citation:
Greater London Council. Catalogue of 'Pompeo Batoni (1708-87) and his British Patrons'. The Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, Hampsted Lane NW37JR, 8 June - 30 August 1982. Published by GLC. p 36, Cat. no. 10Download Item:
cgjc0987.jpg (JPEG image) 204.7Kb
Description:
'James Caulfield was born in Dublin, the second son of the 3rd Viscount, whom he succeeded in 1734. In 1746 he left on the Grand Tour and did not return to Ireland until 1754, taking his seat in the Irish House of Lords on 7 October of that year. he became known as an Irish statesman of independant mind, and for his services was created Earl of Charlemont in 1763. During his foreign travels he was in Rome and Naples in the winter and early spring of 1748-49. Batoni has depicted Lord Charlemont in a green frock coat trimmed with gold frogged fastenings inspired by Hussar uniforms. This is worn over a white silk waistcoat, also fastened with gold braided frogs, and red silk breeches. The style and handling of the portrait, which is beautifully painted with its delicate cuffs and carefully toned draperies, suggests that it was probably substantially completed in 1754, the date of the former inscription, although the finishing touches may not have been applied until a year or so later. The portrait stands at the beginning of Batoni's evolution of a specifically 'Grand Tour' formula, and is the earliest painting in which he employed a view of the Colosseum. It is glimpsed here in the background through the open window, in contrast to Batoni's later integration of the motif with the rest of the composition.' (Greater London Council, 36-7)Role:
artistCulture:
IrishDimensions/Extent:
97.8 cm x 73.7 cmMaterial (Support):
canvasWork:
paintingRole:
artistType of material:
ImageAvailability:
Full text availablePeriod:
18th centuryLicences: