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Portrait Of Edward Hodges C.1815

Object description :

"Portrait Of Edward Hodges C.1815"

This fine and highly attractive portrait from the early 19^th century English school demonstrates very clearly that the artist was a fine draftsman capable of conveying great tenderness. The sitter is Edward Hodges who was the son of an artist, Walter Parry Hodges (1760-1845) of Easton Grey, Wiltshire. He was the brother of Maria Hodges (c.1797-1851) who married Reverend Edward Fane (1783-1862).

These types of portraits were popular during the 19th century and there were many artists working in this lucrative area for private commissions but also public display such as town halls, etc.

Provenance: By descent within the family of the sitter at Kelton House until June 1925, and thence at Fulbeck Manor, Lincolnshire. Kelton House and Fulbeck Manor, Grantham, Lincolnshire were homes of Mrs Caroline Fane, the second wife of Charles Thomas Fane.

Fulbeck Manor has been the home of the Fane family since 1632. The interior feature portraits of the Fane family, who have lived here for over 400 years, and an impressive 17th century staircase with spiral balusters.

The hall was purchased, in 1622, by Francis Fane, 1st Earl of Westmorland, 8th Baron le Despenser and de jure 8th and 6th Baron Bergavenny, of Apethorpe Hall, Northamtonshire. The hall then went to the Earl of Westmorland's son, Sir Francis Fane, a courtier, Royalist and commander of the King's forces. Under the Commonwealth, the estate was confiscated, however, Sir Francis Fane was allowed to buy it back, and before the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, he and his wife Elizabeth Darcy, daughter of Sir Edward Darcy MP, grandson of the executed traitor Thomas Darcy, 1st Baron Darcy de Darcy, occupied much of their time in rebuilding the Hall in Restoration style.

His son, also Sir Francis, married Hannah Rushworth daughter of John Rushworth MP and private secretary to Oliver Cromwell. Rushworth was a republican and historian who is credited with drafting the Bill that abolished the monarchy, House of Lords and established England as a Republic, and many of his works and words were used by Thomas Jefferson when he drafted the American Declaration of Independence. In 1767 Fulbeck Hall was left to Henry Fane of Brympton (who was a grandson of Sir Francis Fane) who made a fortune as a successful Bristol privateer and he left Fulbeck Hall to his younger son the Hon Henry Fane MP in 1783.

During the 19th century the house was home to General Sir Henry Fane MP for Lyme Regis who was Commander-in-Chief, India as well as his brother General Mildmay Fane. Sir Henry bequeathed a life interest in the estate to his eldest son Col. Henry Fane(d.1836). His nephew General Walter Fane who raised Fane's Horse a regiment of volunteers to fight in China during the Second Opium War succeeded him at Fulbeck Hall. This regiment still exists as part of Pakistan's armed forces. General Walter Fane is not to be confused with his brother Colonel Francis Fane of Fulbeck Manor, who raised the Peshawar Light Horse in 1857 as an irregular cavalry unit to fight against the mutineers during the Indian Mutiny. In the early 20th century the house was home to Colonel William Vere Reeve King-Fane.