caption

circle of Robert Byng, Unknown Child

Photo courtesy of Dave Penman (All rights reserved)

Details

Country House
Trewithen
Title(s)
Unknown Child
Date
c.1690–1700
Medium and support
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Overall height: 73 cm, Overall width: 61 cm
Artist
circle of Robert Byng (1666-1720)
Catalogue Number
TN74

Description

The identity of the child in the present portrait is unknown, although he is presumably a member of the Hawkins family. His classical drapery is reminiscent of similar ‘classical’ portraits of young children of the aristocracy and gentry by the portraitist Robert Byng. The pose of the child, the undraped shoulder and the presence of the pet spaniel at the lower right are all found in Byng’s repertoire. However, the rather formulaic handling of the face and draperies and the slightly awkward disposition of the child’s limbs and posture indicate an artist of lesser stature than Byng himself.

by Martin Postle

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