Live Auction 6457British Art on Paper
George, 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807), after Joseph Highmore
Lot 91From the Collection of the late Edward Croft-Murray

George, 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807), after Joseph Highmore

Portrait of Sir James Thornhill (1675-1734), half-length, looking to the left, in a black coat and white cravat

Price Realised

GBP 3,995

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George, 1st Marquess Townshend (1724-1807), after Joseph Highmore
Portrait of Sir James Thornhill (1675-1734), half-length, looking to the left, in a black coat and white cravat
signed and dated 'Townshend f/1775' and with inscription 'Sir James Thornhill, Kt./1676-1734./... copy of the portrait by Highmore by Marquiss [sic]/... Townshend. Signed and dated 1775.' (on a typed label attached to the backboard)
pastel, feigned oval
22½ x 18½ in. (57.2 x 47 cm.)

Jennings-Brown; Sotheby's, London, 29 July 1926, lot 44 (unsold).

Specialist note

Thornhill was a pupil of Highmore and succeeded him as Sergeant-painter to the King. During his youth he travelled in Italy and became the foremost decorative painter in England. The present portrait is based on an oil painting by Joseph Highmore (1692-1780), which was engraved by Joseph Baker and also John Faber in 1732. Thornhill was also painted by his son-in-law William Hogarth (1697-1764).

Townshend was a Field-Marshall and Colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Guards. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1767 and created Marquess in 1787. He is best known for his caricatures in pen and ink.
For examples of Thornhill's work see lots 88 - 89.