1756
16: 1756 (71)
Artist:
Hudson , Thomas (1701-1779)Inscribed signature:
Bottom left: “T. Hudson Pinx:: / 1756“ ; writing visible on the opened book: “MESSIAH“Description:
Body facing left, face turned toward the viewer; gray-green coat; white ruffles at the wrist, knee bands; three-cornered hat under the left arm, sword at the left side, left hand resting in the coat; framed in an elaborate golden frame with carved musical instruments.Type and material: H x W cm:
Oil on canvas: 238.8 x 146.1Date:
1756Comments:
This life-sized authentic representation of Handel is the only known one to show him during the time of his blindness. The picture was painted in 1756 for Charles Jennens. Schoelcher, p. 357: “There is one [portrait] clearly signed ‘T. Hudson, 1756, f.’ at Gopsall. In this Handel is represented life-size, full length, seated, dressed in a coat and shot-silk breeches, gorge de pigeon embroidered with gold. He wears a sword by his side, and holds a long cane in his hand. Under his left arm he carries a little, flat, three-cornered hat. His head is covered with an immense long, white wig. At the period when this was taken he was seventy-two [sic] years old. It was painted expressly for Charles Jennens. Mr. Londsdale, the music publisher, has a copy of it reduced to a half-length, inherited from Dr. Arnhold. It is to be observed that in this portrait although Handel was then blind, the eyes are thoses of a man who can see. It is said that the gutta serena does not alter the outward appearance of the eyes.”Christie’s sale catalog from July 7, 1967 gives the following description: “Full length in grey velvet coat and waistcoat with gold braid, white lace cravat and grey wig, seated on a blue cobered chair on a terrace holding a cane, a copy of the ‘Messiah’ on a table to the left, with blue curtain background and a view beyond.”
Sources and illustrations:
London and its environs described... - V(1761), p. 91 ; Schoelcher, p. 357 ; Kerslake, p. 123-125 ; Smith 3, 36 ; Simon, p. 44, ill. opposite p. 37Provenance:
Charles Jennings bequeathed the painting to his nephew Penn Asheton Curzon from whom it came to the sixth Earl of Howe; the latter put it up for auction with Christie’s on July 7, 1967 (lot 104), where it was bought by Leggatt Bros. It was bought from the latter on July 10, 1968 for £9,450, which was raised by contributions, a state grant and a performance of the Messiah with Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge in The Royal Albert Hall. It was presented to the NPG in 1968.Owner:
NPG 3970Replica
Artist:
Hudson , Thomas (1701-1779)Inscribed signature:
According to Smith 3, 37 signed and dated: ???T. Hudson 1756 ???Description:
Similar to the preceding painting, full length, body facing left, face looking forward, sitting at a table at the upper end of a large stairwell, no borders on the coat, a book of music on the table but not with the title of “Messiah;” Handel’s legs, the table and the background differ from the preceding completed painting. There is also a carpet (runner) on the floor.Type and material: H x W cm:
Oil: 76.8 x 88.9Date:
ca. 1756Comments:
According to Smith 3, this is obviously an unfinished draft for the well known painting from 1756 in the NPG, but others, such as Rockstro, Maitland and Squire refer to it as a replica. Rockstro, p. 423: “A replica of this with some slight differences is in Her Majesty's collection at Buckingham Palace [sic].”Sources and illustrations:
Millar, Oliver: The Tudor, Stuart and Early Georgian Pictures..., pl. 199, Kat. no. 556, text p. 183 ; Rockstro, p. 423 ; Smith 3, 37Owner:
Windsor Castle
