Portrait Of An English Gentleman From The Beginning Of The Eighteenth Century

A subtly colored, well characterized and highly decorative early 18th century oil on canvas portrait of a handsome gentleman attributed to Charles Jervas (1675-1739) The wide-eyed sitter is depicted half-length in a scythe oval cartouche and, with its body tilted, it looks at us with the most captivating of expressions. He wears the traditional garb of aristocratic men of the time, consisting of a richly colored salmon-pink velvet coat worn with a thin white tie and a towering, curly chestnut-colored wig. Other points of note in this portrait are the glimpses of impasto in the models' costume, the well-preserved pigments, as well as the models' faces. It's the sensitively rendered record of a real character in oil, and one that, despite its obvious status, remains accessible rather than aloof. This beautiful work is in an excellent state of preservation and is ready to hang and enjoy its original and elaborate 18th century frame which is itself a work of art. Charles Jervas (c. 1675 - 1739) Jervas was an Irish portrait painter, translator and art collector. Born in County Offaly, Ireland, around 1675, Jervas studied in London, England, as assistant to Sir Godfrey Kneller between 1694 and 1695. Painting portraits of the city's intellectuals, including personal friends such as Jonathan Swift and the poet Alexander Pope (both in the National Portrait Gallery, London), Charles Jervas became a popular artist often mentioned in the works of literary figures of the time. . Jervas gave painting lessons to Pope at his home in Cleveland Court, St James's, which Pope mentions in his poem, To Belinda on the Rape of the Lock, written in 1713, published in 1717 in 'Poems on Multiple Occasions' '. With his reputation growing, Jervas succeeded Kneller as principal portrait painter to King George I in 1723 and continued to live in London until his death in 1739, although he made extended visits to Ireland. High resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available Canvas: 30.5" x 25" / 77cm x 64cm. Frame: 36" x 31" / 92cm x 79cm.