Antique Charles Stanhope Third Earl of Harrington with Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas | ANTIQUES.CO.UK |
 

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    charles stanhope third earl of harrington with marcus richard fitzroy thomas

    Antique Charles Stanhope Third Earl of Harrington with Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas

    cheshire antiques consultant ltd

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    ?? Portrait of Charles Stanhope, Third Earl of Harrington with Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas c. 1783
    In the Manner of Sir Joshua Reynolds

     
    ??? Subject & Medium
    An exceptional and historically layered watercolour painting on paper, this portrait features Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington, in ceremonial armor, accompanied by Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, a young Jamaican boy. Rendered in the Grand Manner tradition circa 1783 late 18th century, the painting fuses aristocratic display with colonial reality, making it not only visually striking but socially resonant.
     
    ??? Composition & Technique
    This painting is composed in the grand theatrical style associated with Sir Joshua Reynolds, yet the choice of watercolour lends it an unusual and delicate immediacy. Stanhope stands confidently at the center, clad in shimmering armor rendered in layers of cool blues, silvers, and soft greys, accented with a crimson sash. Behind him swirl dramatic skies in wet-on-wet washes of indigo, ochre, and smoky blue — evoking turbulence both literal and political.
     
    At his side, Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas holds the Earl’s helmet with solemn grace. Dressed in dark livery, Marcus is rendered with a naturalistic humanity rare in works of this genre. His expression, posture, and grounded presence contrast the aristocratic elevation of Stanhope — offering not just balance, but narrative weight.
     
    The triangular composition leads the eye from Marcus to the Earl and into the sky, a classical structure that here becomes a metaphor: a hierarchy of empire, race, and visibility. Where Stanhope is mythologized, Marcus is authentically present, unidealized, and quietly powerful.
     
    This painting is more than a portrait — it is a visual performance of power, and a double portrait in unequal measure. It glorifies British nobility while revealing the overlooked lives that supported it. In doing so, it offers a compelling critique of its own genre.
     
    ?? Historical Context & Biography
    Charles Stanhope (1753–1829) served in Jamaica, Britain’s most fortified slave colony, during the final years of the American Revolutionary War. Upon returning in 1782, he was promoted to Colonel and appointed Aide-de-Camp to King George III, before inheriting the title of Earl of Harrington. That same year he married Jane Fleming, whose family profited from Caribbean plantations.
     
    Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, just 14 years old when painted, was likely brought from Jamaica as part of Stanhope’s military entourage or household. Later parish and military records reveal a remarkable life: Marcus was baptized in London (on the same day as one of Stanhope’s children), joined the Westminster militia as a drummer, married, had children, and eventually died in poverty in 1816. He is buried in St. Martin’s Gardens, Camden.
     
    ????? About the Artist (in the Manner of Sir Joshua Reynolds)
    Though unsigned, the painting is executed in the mature style of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792), first president of the Royal Academy. Reynolds was known for elevating his sitters through allegory, classical references, and rich theatricality. The armor, posture, and stormy background are unmistakable signatures of this style — but the realist portrayal of Marcus introduces a modern tension, disrupting the fantasy and grounding the work in empire’s human cost.
     
    ??? Frame
    The painting is housed in a recently added beautifully reverse-profile moulded gold leaf frame, adding period authenticity and refined presence. The piece has been professionally conserved and reglazed with museum-quality AR70 glass — a low-reflective, UV-filtering protective front that dramatically reduces glare while preserving the fine watercolor detail underneath. This premium conservation glazing allows the portrait to be displayed with clarity, safety, and confidence, in any lighting condition.
     
    ?? Framed Dimensions: 55 cm (Height) × 47 cm (Width)
    Depth: 1.5 cm
     
    ?? Provenance
     
    Private Scottish Collection
    Acquired via notable Scottish auction
    Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
    Exhibited at a middle shire Musuem.
     
    ?? Why You’ll Love It
    ? A rare, finely executed watercolour portrait with both visual elegance and historical depth
    ? Features a named Black subject — almost unheard of in 18th-century British portraiture
    ? Richly layered with themes of empire, race, identity, and legacy
    ? Framed with museum-quality AR70 glass for premium conservation and display
    ? Perfect for collectors, historians, institutions, or anyone seeking a conversation-starting, museum-worthy work
     
    ?? Condition
    Good for its age. The paper is stable, the pigments remain fresh and vibrant, some foxing stains & fading in places and the surface has been carefully protected by professional reglazing. Some paint loss and backrgroiund retouching in the lower corner area. The frame is is very good condition commensurate with being handmade, clean, intact, and ready to hang.
     
    ?? Worldwide Shipping Available
     
    Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe global delivery.
    ?
    ?? Click Buy It Now to make it yours before its gone!
    Add this historic portraiture masterpiece to your collection today.
     
    ?? Explore Our gallery Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD to discover more hand-picked treasures
     
    ?? Questions? We’re here to help!
    Please feel free to send us a message with any enquiries about this piece.

    Antiques.co.uk Ref: Y2253XFMM

    Materials:
    Watercolour
    Width (cm):
    47
    Height (cm):
    55
    Depth (cm):
    1.5
    Price: £5,000.00

    Please note that this price may NOT include delivery charges which the seller may charge extra for.

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    Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

    Online gallery based in Covent Garden, London, UK. We are the Fine Arts guiding source, for you to invest & acquire art that you will love. To inspire & enhance your home living & office work space for decorative purposes or as an investment. We can help you create or raise your art collection portfolio for beginners or serial collectors! We provide an Expert Art Acquisition service tailored for you. Our services are available to both private individual and business corporate clients. We cover every step of the purchasing procedure. We cater to all budget ranges. Welcome to our little part of the Fine Arts & antiques world, where paintings, sculptures & collectibles history comes to life and each piece has its own story. A family business Founded in 2005 and managed by fellow Directors Michael, and Victoria, during two decades, coming from an academic background, overseeing all historical research. Supporting the daily operations at Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD & directing our social media campaigns, we've been taking art collectors, hobbyists, and interior aficionados on a journey through time. Our passion is sourcing the very best historic collections that the arts and antiques world has to offer and to-date, we have worked directly with private clients through to commercial corporate organisations, museums, auctioneers, art agents & dealers being their leading collaboration partners as Fine Arts consultants. Certified elected members of the Fine Art Trade Guild. Art subjects that we specialise in, exhibit & sell from the past to the present. British & European paintings of known figures portraits, marine ships & coastal, hunting, shooting & sporting. Prized animals, cattle, horses, dogs & wildlife to pretty floral still life. Honeypot scenic landscapes & cityscapes, interiors, transport & great military battles. We cover traditional 17th century era to 21st century contemporary periods. Art movements from Classical, Baroque, Impressionism & Realism, all having distinct styles, hues and textures that you will love. Desirable Sculptures & decor from the Georgian, 19th-century, Victorian to detailed Art Deco & 20th century modern masterpieces. Antiques, Objects Of Vertu, Fine Sculptures & Collectibles that span historic eras and styles, with a deep reverence for the past and an eye for beautiful creativity. Our carefully curated masterpieces are more than just objects; they are windows into the past, each with its own unique story to tell. Our authentic selection reflects the eternal ingenuity of human hands. Sourced from notable & private collections, high end auctions, museums, castles & stately home origins. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD understands the importance of each piece, appreciating not only its history but also the talent and creativity that brought it to life. Beyond our great services, we are dedicated to providing a seamless and satisfying experience. Our skilled team provides personalised consulting services, leading you through our collection to locate the perfect piece that fits your concept. From the first enquiry to the final delivery, we are committed to guaranteeing that your purchase brings you delight and admiration. We invite you to explore our available collections for sale. At Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD, where passion meets pedigree and the past finds a home in the present, you can immerse yourself in the art of history. Allow each object you purchase to be a tribute to the enduring legacy of human invention, and use your space to tell the stories of the past.

    Contact details

    Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
    71-75 Shelton Street
    Covent Garden
    London
    Greater London
    WC2H 9JQ
    UNITED KINGDOM
    T: 07494763382
    E: cheshireantiquesconsultant@gmail.com
    W: http:/https://cheshireant...

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