A full-length portrait of a boy in three-quarter view facing left. The subject stands on an ornate rug and rests one hand on the back of a red chair. He wears a black hat with red band atop a long curly wig and lavish gold and red garments over a white cravat and ruffled sleeves. Through an open passage on the right is a landscape with a large architectural structure. A distant figure stands before it. This portrait hung at Strawberry Hill and was identified by Horace Walpole as Dorothy Townshend painted by Godfrey Kneller. Dorothy Walpole Townshend was Horace Walpole’s aunt and godmother
Description:
Title from 2005 Christie's appraisal. and Formerly attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller and but now (2005) attributed to the Circle of Jacob Huysman.
William Frederick Hanover (1776-1834) was the son of Maria, Duchess of Gloucester (1736-1807), and her second husband William Hanover, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1743-1805). He was a great-grandson of King George II and nephew of King George III., The miniature is in a double-sided burnished bezel locket constructed with front and rear compartments separated by an interior divider; one side holds the portrait and the other holds a thick plait of woven hair. The locket is stored in a protective case that is contemporary with, but not original to, the miniature; when closed the outer case does not accomodate the top ring on the locket., Identification of the sitter is based on correspondence between Doris Haydock and W. S. Lewis when the miniature was being acquired. Date of the miniature was, and For further provenance information, see the custodial history note in the Guide to the Sir Edward Walpole and Dorothy Clement Family Papers (LWL MSS 37).
Half-length, oval portrait of Philip Sidney, English poet, courtier, scholar, and soldier, bust directed to left but looking at the viewer, wearing a ruff and armour
Alternative Title:
Sir Philip Sidney
Description:
Title devised by curator, based on published print after this drawing., Artist unknown., After a painting by Isaac Oliver, which was described in 1741 as in the collection of Sir Brownlow Sherrard Bart. A related painted portrait by an unknown artist is in the National Portrait Gallery, London, inv. no. 5732., and One of ten portraits in oil and other drawings included in George Vertue's set of engravings: The heads of the most illustrious persons of Great Britain (London : John and Paul Knapton). See all catalog records by searching call number: LWL Folio 724 743 H432 (Oversize).
A scene from the Beggar’s Opera as performed and perhaps witnessed by Hogarth. The scene (Act III, Scene II) is the last. Set in Newgate prison. At center stage, is the highwayman Macheath, chained (played by Thomas Walker) wearing red. Two women who believe they are married to him plead for his life as he is sentenced to the gallows. To his left, Lucy Lockit with her back to the audience (played by Mrs. Egleton) is dressed in blue. She pleads with her father the prison warden (John Hall). On his right Polly Peachum (played by Lavinia Fenton) dressed in white with a pink sash, pleads with her father, a dishonest lawyer and informant (played by John Hippisley). The actors are flanked by an audience members privileged to sit in boxes on the stage. Among these is John Rich the impresario of the play. Cf. Einberg
Alternative Title:
Horace Walpole’s Copy of A Beggar’s Opera
Description:
Title from 2005 Christie's appraisal., Artist unidentified., Formerly attributed to William Hogarth. See R. Paulson, Hogarth: his life, art and times, pp. 26-7, pl. 45., In a contemporary gilt Rococo frame., Label on verso in Horace Walpole's with a note in his hand: "Sketch of the Beggar’s opera as first performed: Macheath, in red, by Walker. Polly kneeling, in white, by Miss Fenton, afterwards Duches of Bolton: Lucy in green, her face turned away, by Mrs. Eggleton; Peacham, in black by Hippisley; Lockit, by Hall. Amongst the audience, on the left hand, Sir Thomas Robinson of Rokeby, a tall gentleman with a long lean face; on the right, Sir Robert Faggs, profile, a fat man with short grey hair, much known at Newmarket. Painted by Hogarth. H.W.", Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: The original sketch of The Beggar's Opera, representing Walker as Macheath; Miss Fenton, afterwards Duchess of Bolton, as Polly, Hippisley, as Peach'em; Hall as Lockit; on one side in a box are Sir Thomas Robinson, very tall and lean, and Sir Robert Flagg, a famous Horse racer, fat, with short grey hair, by Hogarth. This highly interesting and curious picture was purchased at the sale of John Rich, the celebrated Harlequin and Master of the Theatres in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields and Covent Garden, for whom the picture was painted - it is in its pure and genuine state, and presents one of the most remarkable efforts of this original master., Text from the 1774 edition of Horace Walpole's Description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole, at Strawberry Hill: The original sketch of the Beggar's Opera: Walker as Macheath; miss Fenton, afterwards duchess of Bolton, as Polly; Hippisley, as Peach'em; Hall as Lockit: on one side in a box, sir Thomas Robinson, very tall and lean; sir Robert Fagg, a famous horse-racer, fat, with short grey hair: by Hogarth. Bought at the sale of John Rich, the well known harlequin, and master of the theatres in Lincoln's-inn-fields and Covent-garden, for whom the picture was painted. Formerly hung in the Great North Bedchamber, Strawberry Hill., and Title devised by curator.
