Items Similar to Self-Portrait - Royal Academy Founding Member, 18th Century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 3
Francis HaymanSelf-Portrait - Royal Academy Founding Member, 18th Century
About the Item
Francis Hayman RA
1708–1776
Self-Portrait
Oil on oak panel
Image size: 8 x 6¼ inches
Contemporary gilt frame
This newly discovered work is the earliest known self portrait by Francis Hayman, dated to the mid to late 1720’s. The small scale of the portrait gives it a strong sense of intimacy. Whereas clients would often dress themselves in their best clothes for a sitting, Hayman has portrayed himself in informal attire, with his shirt unbuttoned and a wig cap.
Born in 1708 to a respectable Devonshire family, his training began at the tender age of ten under the tutelage of the historical painter Robert Brown, who was probably an uncle. By the 1730’s he is known to have been engaged in painting scenery for the popular theatres on Goodman’s Fields and Drury Lane. He established a studio on St Martin’s Lane, and demonstrated his versatility as one of the most
important painters of his time in portraits, illustration and history painting.
Indeed, he was one of the first English painters deemed to have the skill and proficiency to rival that of the foreign masters, such as Holbein and Kneller, who were brought in by the court to make up for the perceived shortcomings of the native artists. Led by William Hogarth, Hayman and other artists began to create a new movement in the English art world. Thomas Gainsborough was one of his pupils, whom he is said to have introduced to the more lascivious and debauched underbelly of London life.
After mostly making his living as an illustrator, in the 1740’s Hayman was commissioned by the proprietor of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Jonathan Tyers, to produce a series of four large celebratory canvases depicting British victories from the Seven Years War. His association with Tyers continued, and over the next ten years he produced a number of large decorative paintings for the ornate supper boxes that were a very popular feature of the gardens.
Success as a portrait and conversation piece artist arose from his relaxed style, which cast aside the usual formal settings and poses to embrace the genteel environments of the urban middle classes in society, depicting their privileged life. These were often painted in the rococo style, which had become very popular in England in the early eighteenth century.
In 1768 Hayman is listed as a founding member of the Royal Academy, and rather ironically, given his rather wayward character, held the office of Academy Librarian from 1771 until his death in 1776. He is believed to have been married twice, although there is no surviving record of his first marriage.
Hayman died of gout in his house on Dean Street in Soho in February 1776. He is buried in an unmarked grave in nearby St Anne’s churchyard.
We are grateful to Professor Brian Allen, for confirming the attribution to Francis Hayman based on first hand examination of the work.
Literature:
- Allen, Brian, Francis Hayman, Yale University Press, (1987).
- Creator:Francis Hayman (1708 - 1776, British)
- Dimensions:Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5246845362
Francis Hayman
Born in 1708 to a respectable Devonshire family, Francis Hayman’s training began at the tender age of ten under the tutelage of the historical painter Robert Brown, who was probably an uncle. By the 1730s, he is known to have been engaged in painting scenery for the popular theatres on Goodman’s Fields and Drury Lane. He established a studio on St Martin’s Lane and demonstrated his versatility as one of the most important painters of his time in portraits, illustration and history painting. Indeed, he was one of the first English painters deemed to have the skill and proficiency to rival that of the foreign masters, such as Holbein and Kneller, who were brought in by the court to make up for the perceived shortcomings of the native artists. Led by William Hogarth, Hayman and other artists began to create a new movement in the English art world. Thomas Gainsborough was one of his pupils, whom he is said to have introduced to the more lascivious and debauched underbelly of London life. After mostly making his living as an illustrator, in the 1740s Hayman was commissioned by the proprietor of the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Jonathan Tyers, to produce a series of four large celebratory canvases depicting British victories from the Seven Years War. His association with Tyers continued, and over the next ten years, he produced a number of large decorative paintings for the ornate supper boxes that were a very popular feature of the gardens. Success as a portrait and conversation piece artist arose from his relaxed style, which cast aside the usual formal settings and poses to embrace the genteel environments of the urban middle classes in society, depicting their privileged life. These were often painted in the rococo style, which had become very popular in England in the early eighteenth century. In 1768, Hayman is listed as a founding member of the Royal Academy, and rather ironically, given his rather wayward character, held the office of Academy Librarian from 1771 until his death in 1776. He is believed to have been married twice, although there is no surviving record of his first marriage. Hayman died of gout in his house on Dean Street in Soho in February 1776. He is buried in an unmarked grave in nearby St Anne’s churchyard. We are grateful to Professor Brian Allen for confirming the attribution to Francis Hayman based on the first-hand examination of the work.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 2007
1stDibs seller since 2014
80 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllPortrait of a Lady
Located in London, GB
Pastel
Image size: 20 1/2 x 17 inches
Early 20th Century carved and gilt Italian frame
Provenance
Private collection in New Jersey
This eye-catching portrait captures a wealthy lad...
Category
18th Century Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil Pastel
Portrait of an Officer, Cornelius Johnson, 17th Century Old Masters
By Cornelius Johnson
Located in London, GB
Circle of Cornelius Johnson
Circa 1620’s
Portrait of a Officer
Oil on canvas
Image size: 28 x 24 inches
Period style hand made frame
Provenance
Private European Estate
This striking portrait dates to around 1620, as you can see from the images of the sash the detail is very high. The sash is decorated with gold thread and would have cost a small fortune at the time. Sashes were originally developed for a military function (making officers more visible for their men during combat), but soon became a primarily male fashion...
Category
Early 17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of Conrad Friedrich Hurlebusch, Early 18th Century Oil Painting
By Dominicus van der Smissen
Located in London, GB
Dominicus van der Smissen
Early 18th Century
Portrait of Conrad Friedrich Hurlebusch
Oil on canvas
Image size: 20½ x 16¼ inches
Period gilt frame
This is a portrait of Conrad Friedrich Hurlebusch, composer, Kapellmeister and organist, whom Van der Smissen most probably portrayed during his stay in Hamburg, Brunswick or Amsterdam. The identification is based on the reproduction of the portrait which was engraved by Pieter Anthony Wakkerdak (1740- 1774).
Van der Smissen has reduced the face of the sitters to an egg-shaped oval in three-quarter view, applying diminution to one half of the figure’s torso, which is farther away from the viewer. This partial side view, with the head turned to look at the viewer over the shoulder, creates spatial depth and brings the figure to life by avoiding the stiffness of a frontal depiction.
Because the artist chose to highlight the figure from above, a distinct shadow is cast under the tip of the nose, in the shape of a triangle. This is an often recurring and almost ‘signature’-like feature in Van der Smissen’s oeuvre.
Hurlebusch's garments are of a very high quality and serve to reflect the sitter’s wealth, status and elegance. During this period, gentlemen often shaved their heads in order to facilitate the wearing of a wig, which wouldbe worn with a suit. Here Hurlebusch has been depicted in a luxurious turban-like cap lined with lynx fur, a highly fashionable and expensive material at the time.
Over his shirt, he wears a velvet fur-lined gown adorned with decorative clasps fashioned from silver braid. The elegant informality of his appearance can be seen in his unbuttoned shirt and the unfastened black ribbon hanging from his button hole, which has been artfully arranged into a fluttering drape by the portraitist.
The Sitter
Hurlebusch was born in Brunswick, Germany. He received the first instructions in his field from his father Heinrich Lorenz Hurlebusch, who was also a musician. As an organ virtuoso, he toured Europe, visiting Vienna, Munich and Italy.
From 1723 to 1725 he was Kapellmeister in Stockholm; later he became Kapellmeister in Bayreuth and Brunswick, and lived in Hamburg from 1727 to 1742, where he had contact with fellow composers Johann Mattheson and Georg Philipp Telemann. He made his living composing, performing and teaching.
In 1735 and 1736, he is believed to have visited Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig, who promoted Hurlebusch’s compositions as the local seller...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait of William Henry Kerr, Earl of Ancram, 4th Marquess of Lothian
Located in London, GB
James Fellowes
Flourished 1719 - 1750
Portrait of William Henry Kerr, Earl of Ancram, 4th Marquess of Lothian
Oil on canvas, signed & dated 1747
Image size: 29 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches (75 x 62 cm)
Original gilt wood frame
William Henry Kerr was born a member of the Scottish peerage to William, third Marquess of Lothian, and his first wife Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Nicholson of Kemnay, first Baronet. William was styled Master Jedburgh until 1722, when his father was elevated to a Marquessate, after which he was referred to as Lord Jedburgh until 1735. Following his father’s military footsteps, on 20 June 1735 Ancram was commissioned as a cornet to the regiment (11th Dragoons) of his grand-uncle, Lord Mark Kerr. Ancram married Lady Caroline...
Category
1740s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Girl, 17th Century English School Old Masters Oil
By Gilbert Jackson
Located in London, GB
Gilbert Jackson
English Active: 1620 - 1650
Portrait of a Girl
Oil on panel, signed upper left and Inscribed upper right
Image size: 24 ½ x 20 inches
Contemporary style hand made...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Portrait of a Lady, 17th Century Flemish Oil Old Masters
By Jacob Huysmans
Located in London, GB
Jacob Huysmans
Flemish 1633 - 1696
Portrait of a Lady
Oil on canvas
Image size: 49 x 40 ¼ inches
Gilt frame
Huysmans was born in Antwerp and came to England during the reign of Charles II where he became one of the fashionable painters of the court.. The diarist Samual Pepys noted the artist as capable of a more exact likeness than Lely. Certainly the diarist records that by August 1664 in the circle of Queen Catherine...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
You May Also Like
17th-18th Century By Benedetto Luti Head of a Girl Oil Pastel on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724)
Title: Head of a Girl
Medium: Oil pastel on canvas
Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm
Orig...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil Pastel
17th-18th Century By Benedetto Luti Head of a Girl Oil Pastel on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Benedetto Luti (Florence, Italy, 1666 - Rome, Italy, 1724)
Title: Head of a Girl
Medium: Oil pastel on canvas
Dimensions: without frame 28 x 23.5 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5 cm
Orig...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil Pastel
CHILD - Alfonso Grassi Pastel on paper Portrait italian Painting
By Alfonso Grassi
Located in Napoli, IT
CHILD - Pastel on paper cm.51x41 signed lower right by Alfonso Grassi, Italy.
Wooden frame with passeportout cm.94x73
Category
Late 20th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Paper, Pastel
The Card Players by a Flemish 1600s Artist
By Flemish School, 17th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
Flemish 1600s School
The Card Players
oil on oak panel
panel dimensions 22.5 x 20 cm
frame included
Provenance:
From a Swedish private collection.
Condition:
Flat and stabl...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oak, Oil, Panel
"Eléa Ossified" (Abstract Portrait, Floral, Calming, Roses, Painting on Wood)
By Nicholas Evans
Located in Paris, IDF
ELÉA OSSIFIED
2022
An abstracted portrait with detail of lying roses mimics thoughts caught in time, while capturing the complex notion of aging and beauty. A soft and calming paint...
Category
2010s Abstract Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil Pastel, Acrylic
Tri-Directional Portrait Commemorating the Russo-Turkish War
Located in New Orleans, LA
Austrian School
18th Century
Tri-Directional Portrait Commemorating the Russo-Turkish War
Oil on wooden strips
This extraordinary tri-directional portrait exemplifies the rare innovation known as a triscenorama, capturing a pivotal diplomatic moment through ingenious artistic technique. Employing triangularly cut wooden strips, this remarkable work simultaneously depicts three imperial figures central to the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739: Empress Anna Ivanovna Romanova of Russia when viewed directly, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI from the left and Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I from the right, commemorating the Treaty of Nissa that concluded this significant European conflict.
The portrait utilizes an exceptionally rare optical technique that predates modern movable imaging technology. When observed from different angles, the painted triangular wooden strips create a transformative effect, revealing entirely different imperial portraits as the viewer shifts position. The precision required to execute such a work demonstrates remarkable technical mastery, as the artist had to conceptualize three distinct portraits as well as the meticulous arrangement of the panels. This sophisticated manipulation of perspective creates an interactive viewing experience considered revolutionary for its time.
Almost certainly created by an Austrian artist, this diplomatic artwork likely served as a commemorative piece marking the Treaty of Nissa, signed in September 1739. The treaty concluded Russia's ambitious campaign to secure access to the Black Sea while countering Ottoman raids in Ukraine and the Caucasus regions. Given its exceptional quality and historical significance, this portrait was possibly commissioned by Emperor Charles VI himself, potentially serving as a diplomatic gift to either Empress Anna or Sultan Mahmud I during the treaty negotiations.
Under Empress Anna's leadership, Russia sought to counter devastating raids from Ottoman allies, particularly the Crimean Tatars...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Wood, Oil, Wood Panel
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Old English 18th Century
18th Century Panel Painting
18th Century Pastel
Late 18th Century Dress
Antique Portrait Box
Rococo Pastel
Dean Martin
Oak Box 18th
Hogarth Frame
18th Century Pastel Portrait
Pastel Portrait 18th
Dior Shirt Dress
Wig 18th Century
Antique Strong Box Antiques
Wig Box
Antique Clothes Press
Drury Lane
Gainsborough Office