Thomas Hudson (1701-1779)
| Artist Name | Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) |
|---|---|
| Title | Portrait of a Lady with White Gloves |
| Description | This charming British 18th century Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to noted portrait artist Thomas Hudson. Hudson was most prolific between 1740 and 1760 and, from 1745 until 1755 was the most successful London portraitist. On studying his work, this painting bears strong similarities to Barbara Bagot/Mrs Sneyd, see below. Painted circa 1750 this is a three quarter length standing portrait of a lady with classical figures behind her. She is dressed in a silk dress with pink bodice and a straw hat. Of interest is that the sitter is in the process of either putting on or taking off her gloves as she gazes at the artist/viewer with a slight smile. It was probably their direct contact with the skin that led to the eroticism of gloves. Not only were pairs often exchanged between lovers, but from the 16th to the 18th centuries, it was common practice to remove one glove and give it as a gift to a favourite. Besides the symbolism of the gloves, there is lovely detail and brushwork in her dress and facial features making this a superb example of an 18th century Old Master oil painting. Barbara Bagot (1725 - abt. 1796) was the daughter of Walter Bagot and Barbara Legge. She was baptised on 15 Apr 1725 in Blithfield, Staffordshire, England. She married Ralph Sneyd on 17 Apr 1750 at St Martin in the Fields, Westminster, Middlesex, England. |
| Provenance | Dorset estate. |
| Medium | Oil on Canvas |
| Size | 40 x 50 inches |
| Frame | Housed in the original carved gilt period frame 57 inches by 47 inches framed and in good condition. |
| Condition | Good condition. |
| Biography | Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) was an English portrait painter. Hudson was born in Devon in 1701. His exact birthplace is unknown. He studied under Jonathan Richardson in London and against his wishes, married Richardson's daughter at some point before 1725. Hudson was most prolific between 1740 and 1760 and, from 1745 until 1755 was the most successful London portraitist. He had many assistants, and employed the specialist drapery painter Joseph Van Aken. Joshua Reynolds, Joseph Wright and the drapery painter Peter Toms were his students. Hudson visited the Low Countries in 1748 and Italy in 1752. In 1753 he bought a house at Cross Deep, Twickenham, just upstream from Pope's Villa. He retired toward the end of the 1750s. He died at Twickenham in 1779. His extensive private art collection was sold off in three separate sales. Many of Hudson's works may be seen in art galleries throughout the United Kingdom. They include the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum, Tate, Barnstaple Guildhall, Foundling Museum and the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. |
| Price | £34000 |
