Exhibition Spotlight: A Fourth of July Special

  A very happy Fourth of July to our friends across the pond!  Today's Great Provenances exhibition spotlight has strong ties with America.  This portrait by John Hoppner R.A. depicts Sir John Osborn (1772-1848) wearing a blue coat with a red lined collar and white neck cloth. John Hoppner John Hoppner was a highly regarded portrait artist …

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Studying the Study: Joshua Reynold’s Study for a Portrait of Lord George Seymour Conway

Joshua Reynolds needs no introduction.  He served as the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, was knighted by George III, and has over 1000 of his portraits in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.  His Seven Discourses on Art, a series of lectures delivered to students at the Royal Academy between 1769 and 1790, …

An Exciting Discovery: From England to America and Back Again

While doing research for our current exhibition, Looking East: Japanned Furniture of Georgian England, we were delighted to make a discovery that links a piece from our collection with the fantastic red japanned bureau bookcase at the Metropolitan Museum  of Art in New York.  To start with the bureau: This exceptional red japanned piece of furniture …

Portraiture in Focus: John Hoppner’s Depiction of John Osborn

In a recent post we highlighted a painting by George Romney of Sir Francis Lind.  Today we are continuing our focus on portraiture to examine a portrait by John Hoppner R.A. of Sir John Osborn (1772-1848), which we recently acquired.  We will look at both the artist and sitter in further detail. John Hoppner John …

Portraiture in Focus: George Romney’s Depiction of Francis Lind

As dealers in Georgian antique furniture, it is a misconception to think that our collection is restricted to just furniture.  To create an interior that befits the antique furniture you need the decorative arts, including porcelain, glass, and other objects of virtue, as well as paintings.  We are particularly fond of British portraiture from the …

When Art Imitates Life, and Vice Versa

It is no secret that one of our favourite artists is Arthur Devis (1712-1787)--the English painter is best known for his conversation pieces, a particular type of portraiture showing individuals posed within a detailed domestic setting.  Devis's painted interiors served to highlight the sitter's gentility, elegance, and taste.  Today, we are taking a closer look at …

Framing the Portrait: Francis Wyatt of Quex by John Closterman

What would furniture be without pictures?  In addition to our collection of fine antique furniture, we also look for paintings that complement the style and aesthetic of eighteenth century antiques.  Portraiture has always been a fundamental aspect of English interiors, and we are delighted to present this portrait of Francis Wyatt painted by John Closterman in …