FDA-P.35-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.35-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Charles William Henry Scott, Earl of Dalkeith
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Portrait of a young man, in Van Dyke costume, including black hat with feather and pink coat
Comments
Charles Montagu-Scott, styled Earl of Dalkeith until 1812, was a descendant of King Charles II’s illegitimate son James Scott (1649–1685). Charles later became 4th Duke of Buccleuch and 6th Duke of Queensberry, and was an amateur cricketer and Tory politician.
The young Earl is here dressed in van Dyck-style costume for the Eton Montem, a regular event at the College from the 16th century. Eton boys in fancy dress walked in procession to Salt Hill, about two miles away. On the way they gathered money from onlookers. The funds were intended to help fund the university studies of the Captain of the School. Increasing disorder at successive Montems led to the College ending the practice following the 1844 procession.
Artist William Beechey simultaneously painted a second portrait the young Earl of Dalkeith, showing him turned towards the viewer and wearing typical clothing for the time. That work remains at Bowhill House in the Scottish Borders, a residence of the current Duke of Buccleuch.
In 1794, Beechey was elected a member of the Royal Academy, received a knighthood and exhibited His Majesty Reviewing the Third Dragoon Guards, his most celebrated work. He was later named portrait painter to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Principle Portrait Painter to William IV.
The sitter is dressed for the Eton Montem.
At Eton 1780-89
Afterwards 4th Duke of Buccleuch, and 6th Duke of Queensberry, K.T.
The young Earl is here dressed in van Dyck-style costume for the Eton Montem, a regular event at the College from the 16th century. Eton boys in fancy dress walked in procession to Salt Hill, about two miles away. On the way they gathered money from onlookers. The funds were intended to help fund the university studies of the Captain of the School. Increasing disorder at successive Montems led to the College ending the practice following the 1844 procession.
Artist William Beechey simultaneously painted a second portrait the young Earl of Dalkeith, showing him turned towards the viewer and wearing typical clothing for the time. That work remains at Bowhill House in the Scottish Borders, a residence of the current Duke of Buccleuch.
In 1794, Beechey was elected a member of the Royal Academy, received a knighthood and exhibited His Majesty Reviewing the Third Dragoon Guards, his most celebrated work. He was later named portrait painter to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Principle Portrait Painter to William IV.
The sitter is dressed for the Eton Montem.
At Eton 1780-89
Afterwards 4th Duke of Buccleuch, and 6th Duke of Queensberry, K.T.
Description
Content (person)
Dimensions
height (sight size): 740mm
width (sight size): 605mm
height (frame): 904mm
width (frame): 768mm
depth (frame): 60mm
weight: 7kg
width (sight size): 605mm
height (frame): 904mm
width (frame): 768mm
depth (frame): 60mm
weight: 7kg
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt wood frame
Production
Person
Date
1789
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter or his family; by whom presented to the Head Master at Eton College in 1789
Exhibited: Royal Academy, London, 1789, catalogue number 405, as 'A Young Nobleman'; 'Eton Loan Collection', Eton College, 1891, catalogue number 94; 'Eton Leaving Portraits', Tate Gallery, London, April to May 1951, catalogue number 21; 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 19
Exhibited: Royal Academy, London, 1789, catalogue number 405, as 'A Young Nobleman'; 'Eton Loan Collection', Eton College, 1891, catalogue number 94; 'Eton Leaving Portraits', Tate Gallery, London, April to May 1951, catalogue number 21; 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 19
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.22, no.37, Plate XXV)
• Roberts, W., Sir William Beechey, Duckworth & Co., 1907 (p.222)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.36)
• McConnell, ed., Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (Plate 15)
• Roberts, W., Sir William Beechey, Duckworth & Co., 1907 (p.222)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.36)
• McConnell, ed., Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (Plate 15)
