Studies of male figures, seated and standing, two studies of hands, and a study of two hands holding a dead partridge. Identified as studies of the portrait of Thomas, 2nd Baron Mansel of Margam, with his Blackwood Half-Brothers and Sister, after Allan Ramsay, 1742. Made by an unknown artist, in the studio of Allan Ramsay, c. 1742. Black and white chalk on blue paper. In cream window mount.

Exhibitions:

  • Title: Joseph Wright of Derby, 1734-1797: Bicentenary Exhibition
    Venue: Wallis, Jane
    Dates: from 21/06/1997 to 28/09/1997

Publications

  • Title: Allan Ramsay: A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings
    Author: Alastair Smart
    Published Place: New Haven and London
    Published Year: 1999
  • Title: Creative Quarters: The Art World in London 1700-2000
    Author: Kit Wedd
    Published Place: London
    Published Year: 2001

Related People

  • Joseph Wright of Derby (Artist)

    Display Date: British, 1734 - 1797

    Nationality: British

    Biography: Artist.

  • Allan Ramsay (After)

    Display Date: British; Scottish, 1713 - 1784

    Nationality: British; Scottish

    Biography: Painter.

  • Thomas Mansel, 2nd Baron Mansel (Content)

    Display Date: British, 1719 - 1744

    Nationality: British

  • John Blackwood (Content)

    Display Date: British

    Nationality: British

  • Mary Blackwood (Content)

    Display Date: British

    Nationality: British

Study of the Portrait of Thomas, 2nd Baron Mansel of Margam, with his Blackwood Half-Brothers and Sister, after Allan Ramsay

Date: c. 1742

Medium: Black and white chalk on blue paper.

Object Type:Drawing
Dimensions:Support: 283 × 422 mm (11 1/8 × 16 5/8 in.)
Description:The finished painting, dated 1742, is in the collection of Tate (accession number T 05494). Jane Wallis notes that Wright used these studies for details within some of his own portraits. She speculates that they may have been given to Wright by his tutor Thomas Hudson following the death of his and Ramsay's drapery painter, Joseph van Aken in 1749. She speculates that Wright may have been being groomed to fill Van Aken's role. [see: J. Wallis, 'Joseph Wright of Derby', 1997, p.111.] Alastair Smart notes that the seated male figure on the left corresponds with the figure of John Blackwood, dressed in a yellow coat, in the final portrait. He identifies the standing figure with Thomas Mansel and notes that the study shows him with his coat more unbuttoned than in the final painting. Smart suggests that the study may have been copied by Wright from drawings by Ramsay. [see: A. Smart, 'Allan Ramsay: A Complete Catalogue of his Paintings', 1999, p.155.] However, it is elsewhere suggested that the drawing may have been made by Joseph van Aken [see: K. Wedd, 'Creative Quarters', 2001, p.28.]
Provenance:Purchased from David Posnett, Leger Galleries Ltd., 1995.
Viewing Status:Contact Us
Item Ref:1996-1/76
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