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detail of Catherine Grey, Lady Manners The other portrait I find less than flattering is this view of Robert Banks Jenkinson, later the 2nd Earl of Liverpool (1770-1828). Again, the head-on view does not compliment him. He seems to be frowning and his lip is slightly curled, almost as if beginning a sneer. This painting dates from 1793-96 when Lawrence was doing many statesmen and politicians, and flattering many of them. Another Lawrence picture (not in this exhibition) of Lord Liverpool done 33 years later, portrays him as less confrontational yes equally sure of himself. At right, Lord Liverpool in 1826 as Prime Minister, in the National Portrait Gallery (not in the Yale exhibition) Isabella Wolff and Thomas Lawrence remained dear friends for many years, and were sometimes suspected of being lovers. For more on Lawrence's love life, go backward in this blog to Jo Manning's essays on January 8, 9, and 10th, 2011. This is probably the first Thomas Lawrence canvas I saw as a child. At the Art Institute of Chicago, it was my favorite picture. Maybe it still is. As one of the reviews of the exhibition said, many of us became more than familiar with some Lawrence images because we saw them on biscuit tins and other ads or labels. Or in multiple prints, even paint-by-number sets.This charming view of a thoughtful (or bored) little boy is one of those biscuit tin portraits -- you've seen it a million times, though you can't remember quite where. This is Charles William Lambton, painted in 1825, now in a private collection. Charles was about seven in the portrait and he died just six years later at age thirteen. That gives a distinct poignant twist to this familiar face. ![]() ![]() Mrs. Hawkins was a mistress of the imperious 1st Marquess of Abercorn and young John was his son by her. He had several other children by his three wives. Nevertheless, the picture was displayed at the Royal Academy in 1806. One London newspaper found it "deficient in sobriety and simplicity." Another commented that the dog was too big and disliked the view through the circular wall. Diane Gaston and I want to thank Amy McDonald and Kaci Bayless for their assistance and hospitality at the Yale Center for British Art. Everyone was cheerful, helpful and welcoming. We wish we could have attended one of the many programs accompanying the exhibition. They are listed on-line if you click here. For more information on the exhibition, click here. Diane has blogged on our visit and you can find her report here. I will be back with lots more about Thomas Lawrence: Regency Power and Brilliance in days to come. Remember, the closing date is June 5, so make your plans to visit New Haven soon. |
Labels: Artists, Victoria Hinshaw