Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

A Bewigged Gentleman

circa 1720

About the Item

Enoch Seeman Oil on Canvas Canvas Size: 30 x 25" (76 x 64cm) Outside Framed Size: 37 x 32" (94 x 82cm) He was born in Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland, around 1694. His father, also Enoch was born around 1661, and the Seeman family were painters. Having been brought to London from his home of Flanders by his father in 1704, the younger Seeman's painting career as we know it began with a group portrait of the Bisset family in the style of the portraitist Godfrey Kneller, now held at Castle Forbes in Grampion Scotland, and dated by an inscription 1708. As a painter to the British royal court Seeman the Younger completed portraits of George 1, in 1730, in the robes of his coronation and of George II some years later. The first of these pictures is held at the Middle Temple in London, England, and the second is at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, part of the royal collection. In this portrait of a gentleman the sitter has been depicted within a feigned oval wearing a scarlet coat and a white cravat. It is a daring exploration of colour. The style and type were fashionable in the 18th century London studios and the bright pigment is distinctive of Enoch Seeman's palette. The pièce de résistance is the face, and is remarkably detailed and every so finely painted. The artist records a sense of the sitter’s character, a sign of an artist very accomplished in the oil technique of painting. English aficionados were quite taken and enchanted with Seeman’s portraits and he was in high demand. Enoch Seeman (born in Danzig c.1694) was a successful and popular artist with members of the British aristocracy. His father, his three brothers, his nephew, and his son were also painters. He was trained by his father who brought him as a boy to London from their previous home in Flanders in 1704 (Seeman is often considered to be an English painter). By 1708 he was creating remarkably good portraits whilst still only a teenager and by 1717 Enoch had established a very successful portrait practice in London. He became the British Royal Court painter and painted portraits of both George I and II amongst many other members of the British aristocracy. In 1723 Vertue remarked that ''Enoch. for portrait Painting is in the greatest vogue… and his aristocratic and royal patronage makes him a rival to Charles Jervas.” He made such an impression on Society that he enjoyed a prolific career into the 1740s. It has been alledged that Seeman charged 20 guineas for a full-length portrait in 1732.
  • Attributed to:
    Enoch Seeman (1694 - 1744, Polish)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1720
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The reverse shows an antique stamp which is hard to read. The painting is in a gold leaf, carlo marratta frame.
  • Gallery Location:
    St. Albans, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2469213343982
More From This SellerView All
  • Portrait of a Man possibly Arthur Viscount Irwin, Temple Newsam Oil on canvas
    By Charles Jervas
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    Charles Jervas Possibly Arthur, 6th Viscount Irwin (Temple Newsam) Oil on Canvas Picture Size: 50 x 40" Outside Frame Size: 58 x 48" 1675 – 1739 Charles Jervas, who was born in Cl...
    Category

    Early 1700s English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • Portrait of a Lady possibly Frances Thynne, Lady Worsley 1673-1750 Oil on canvas
    By Charles Jervas
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    Charles Jervas Possibly Frances Thynne, Lady Worsley 1673-1750 Oil on Canvas Picture Size: 50 x 40" Outside Frame Size: 58 x 48" 1675 – 1739 Charles Jervas, who was born in Clonli...
    Category

    Early 1700s English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • A Spanish Lady
    By Charles Baxter
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    A perfect example of Charles Baxter's work. A beautiful Spanish lady wearing typical Spanish attire. Despite being unsigned, the painting has full provenance having being fully catal...
    Category

    Late 19th Century Victorian Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • A Pre-Raphaelite Beauty
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    A wonderful painting of a beautiful woman in the style of the Pre-Raphaelites. It is signed Arnhold. It is in very condition and in the original frame. Picture Size: 21 x 21" (51 ...
    Category

    1850s Pre-Raphaelite Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • A Naked Beauty Lying with her Fan
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    Léon Laurent Galand 1872 – 1960 Signed and dated 1928 bottom left Artwork Size: 25.75 x 36" (66 x 92cm) Artwork Size with Frame: 32.75 x 43" (83 x 109cm) Oil on Canvas Discounted ...
    Category

    1920s Impressionist Nude Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

  • The Rose Seller
    Located in St. Albans, GB
    Alfred Edward Emslie A beautiful example of Arthur Emslie's work combining his renown ability for portraiture and genre. The soft tones of the background and dress contrasted with the highlights in the face and the large, vibrant bouquet of roses creates a piece perfect for any situation. It is a painting showing class, technique and subtlety. Provenance: Bonhams Canvas Size: 22 x 18" (56 x 46cm) Outside Frame Size: 32 x 28" (81 x 71cm) 1848-1918 Alfred Edward Emslie was an English genre and portrait painter and photographer. He was the son of the engraver, John Emslie...
    Category

    1890s Victorian Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil

You May Also Like
  • Oil on Canvas Portrait of Mother and Child
    Located in Fredericksburg, VA
    This painting is unsigned but evidence shows that it is from a European school. It shows a mother with a child on her lap as well as a forest background. Likely wealthier patrons due...
    Category

    Mid-19th Century English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Portrait Of Henry Farington, East India Company, 18th Century
    By Arthur Devis
    Located in Blackwater, GB
    Portrait Of Henry Farington, East India Company, 18th Century attributed to Arthur DEVIS (1712-1787) One of a matching pair - the other is believ...
    Category

    18th Century English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Studio Of Sir Peter Lely - Portrait Of Lady Francklin Of Bedfordshire
    By Sir Peter Lely
    Located in Blackwater, GB
    Portrait Of Lady Francklin of Bedfordshire, 17th Century Studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) Fine 17th Century English portrait of Lady Fr...
    Category

    17th Century English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Portrait Of A Gentleman & His Estate, Attributed to Arthur Devis, 18th Century
    By Arthur Devis
    Located in Blackwater, GB
    Portrait Of A Gentleman & His Estate, 18th Century attributed to Arthur DEVIS (1712-1787) One of a matching pair - the other is believed to be the brother Large 18th century Eng...
    Category

    18th Century English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Sir Francis Dicksee Portrait, c. 1900
    Located in Larchmont, NY
    Sir Francis Dicksee (English, 1853-1928) Untitled (Portrait of a Woman), c. 1900 Oil on canvas; period frame Sight: 13 1/4 in. Framed: 21 1/8 x 21 1/8 x 3 3/8 in. Frank Dicksee was...
    Category

    Early 1900s English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Full Length Portrait of Two English Children and Dog
    By Sir William Beechey
    Located in Miami, FL
    This charming portrait is a statement piece for any space. The two elegantly handsome sitters are brother and sister and are accompanied by their loyal dog. In 18th and 19th century...
    Category

    1810s English School Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

Recently Viewed

View All