Portrait of the Duke of Grafton
| Portrait of the Duke of Grafton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Pompeo Batoni |
| Year | 1762 |
| Type | Oil on canvas, portrait |
| Dimensions | 76 cm × 61 cm (30 in × 24 in) |
| Location | National Portrait Gallery, London |
Portrait of the Duke of Grafton is a 1762 portrait painting by the Italian artist Pompeo Batoni of the English aristocrat Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, a future Prime Minister of Great Britain.[1]
Like many wealthy young Britons of the era Grafton went on a Grand Tour across Continental Europe, focused particularly on Italy due to its ancient history Grafton returned for a second trip after his marriage, accompanied by his wife Anne. The marriage was already under strain and in 1769 the couple would divorce.
Grafton was painted in Rome in the uniform of the Suffolk Militia and carring a spontoon over his shoulder.[2] He was at the time Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk where the family estate of Euston Hall is located. In 1766 he joined the Chatham Government. Due to the continued illness of its leader William Pitt the Elder he effectively served as its head for much of the time. In 1768 Pitt resigned and Grafton formally took on the role of Prime Minister, serving until 1770. A major issue during his time in office was the Corsican Crisis triggered by the French invasion of the island.[3]
Batoni was a leading Italian portraitist who specialised in painting grand tourists, particularly British visitors.[4] It is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, having been acquired in 1972.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Inagmells p.212
- ^ https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitExtended/mw02659/Augustus-Henry-FitzRoy-3rd-Duke-of-Grafton?
- ^ Langford p.382-83
- ^ Rendell p.18
- ^ https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw02659/Augustus-Henry-FitzRoy-3rd-Duke-of-Grafton
Bibliography
[edit]- Ingamells, John. National Portrait Gallery Mid-Georgian Portraits, 1760–1790. National Portrait Gallery, 2004.
- Langford, Mark. A Polite and Commercial People: England 1727-1783. A Polite and Commercial People: England 1727–1783.
- Rendell, Mike. The Grand Tour. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022.
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