FDA-P.29-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.29-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Hon. Edward Boscawen
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Half-length portrait of a young man, in a black coat and a white stock
Comments
The son of George Evelyn Boscawen, 2nd Viscount Falmouth. He was in Sixth Form in 1804. In 1805 he became an officer in the coldstream Guards. In July 1821 he was created Earl of Falmouth (one of the coronation peerages of George IV). In 1829 he acted as second to Lord Winchelsea in his duel with the Duke of Wellington.
John Opie R.A. (1761-1807)
Brought to London as the 'Cornish Wonder', Opie began exhibiting portraits at the Royal Academy in 1782. His best, Caravaggesque, work is of the 1780s before he was spoilt by success as a society painter. His posthumous 'Lectures on Painting' dwelt on the miseries of a portrait painter condemned for ever 'to study and copy wretched defects, and conform to still more wretched prejudices, of every tasteless and ignorant individual.' Opie yearned after the glory of History Painting. He painted two Leaving Portraits.
John Opie R.A. (1761-1807)
Brought to London as the 'Cornish Wonder', Opie began exhibiting portraits at the Royal Academy in 1782. His best, Caravaggesque, work is of the 1780s before he was spoilt by success as a society painter. His posthumous 'Lectures on Painting' dwelt on the miseries of a portrait painter condemned for ever 'to study and copy wretched defects, and conform to still more wretched prejudices, of every tasteless and ignorant individual.' Opie yearned after the glory of History Painting. He painted two Leaving Portraits.
Description
Content (person)
Dimensions
height (sight size): 760mm
width (sight size): 620mm
height (frame): 960mm
width (frame): 810mm
depth (frame): 80 mm
weight: 8.5kg
width (sight size): 620mm
height (frame): 960mm
width (frame): 810mm
depth (frame): 80 mm
weight: 8.5kg
Inscription
I.D. label on frame
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt wooden Carlo-Maratta frame
Production
Person
Opie, John (R. A.), 1761 - 1807 (Artist)
Date
1805
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter or his family; by whom presented to the Head Master of Eton College in 1805
Exhibited: 'Eton Leaving Portraits', Tate Gallery, London, April to May 1951, catalogue number 33; 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 24
Exhibited: 'Eton Leaving Portraits', Tate Gallery, London, April to May 1951, catalogue number 33; 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 24
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.33, no.85, Plate XXXII)
• Rogers, J. J., Opie and his Works, London, 1878 (p.17)
• Rogers, J. J., Opie and his Works, London, 1878 (p.17)
