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John Vanderbank
The Hon. John Spencer

c. 1737

About the Item

PROVENANCE Presumably commissioned by the sitter’s father-in-law, John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, Haynes Park, Thence by descent, Lady Louisa Carteret , who married Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth, thence by descent, Henry Frederick Thynne, 1st Baron Carteret (1735 – 1763), thence by descent; Lord John Thynne (1788 – 1881), Haynes Park, Bedfordshire His Sale, The Thynne Heirlooms; Christie’s, London, 1 May 1911, lot 54 (to Cohen) Private Collection, England Anonymous Sale, Christie’s, London, 11 July 1997, lot 54 (as attributed to Stephen Slaughter) Private Collection, South Africa LITERATURE Herbert Minton Cundall, Handbook for Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire; with Maps and Plans, John Murray, London, 1895, pg. 130 The Honorable John Spencer, Diana Princess of Wales 5 x great grandfather, was born on the 13 May 1708 and was the youngest son of Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland and his wife Anne Churchill, daughter of the 1st Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. John was only 7 when his mother died and he was consequentially bought up by his grandmother, the infamous Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Unlike his brothers, John had not inherited a title, despite this, his Grandmother wrote that “I design to set up the only grandson I have now that is a commoner, John Spencer, who has a very considerable fortune for a younger brother, and I will it as good as most elder brothers”. This was certainly the case and the inheritance from his grandmother allowed John to live an immensely comfortable life. After attending Eton, he undertook a Grand Tour between 1725 and 1727 going to France, Switzerland and Italy. In 1732, John Spencer succeeded his cousin, William Godolphin, Marquess of Blandford, as the Member of Parliament for Woodstock, a seat he held until his death in 1746. He is also listed as one of the founding governors for the Foundling Hospital, set up to educate and house deserted young children. On the death of his father, in 1722, he inherited vast swathes of land, notably the family estates in Northamptonshire, including Althorp, as well as already having the properties given to him by his Grandmother, including Wimbledon Park. Shortly after he came into his inheritance he married Georgiana Caroline Carteret, the third daughter and co-heir of John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville. John Vanderbank was the son of John Vanderbank senior, the leading tapestry weaver in the country who supplied the Royal Family with tapestries and introduced the less formal chinoiserie style in textiles. After training under his father and the artist Jonathan Richardson, Vanderbank became one of the first pupils at Sir Godfrey Kneller’s art academy in 1711 where he remained training before founding his own academy in 1720. One of Vanderbank’s earliest commissions was his 1719 portrait of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer’s older brother, on horseback. This was such a success that other aristocratic commissions soon started to follow, including from King George II and Queen Caroline which cemented his position as a leading Court portraitist. This interesting full-length portrait depicting John Spencer in Hussar’s uniform was noted by art historian Minton Cundall as hanging in the drawing room at Haynes Park in 1895, alongside the portrait of Spencer’s wife Georgiana Carteret, also by Vanderbank and now in the collection of the Earl Spencer at Althorp. It is highly probable that these two works were commissioned by John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville for the couple’s marriage in 1732 and hung together as pendant works. John Spencer was a popular figure at Court and great friends with Frederick, Prince of Wales. Indeed, his portrait is also captured by the equestrian artist John Wootton in a series of works in the Royal Collection showing the Prince of Wales accompanied by courtiers whilst shooting and hunting. Spencer’s position at Court was reflected in his appointment as the Ranger of Windsor Great Park, after the death of his Grandmother in 1744, who held the position previously. Unusually, the rich Hussar’s uniform which Spencer wears seems to have been chosen as Court fancy- dress rather than to indicate a military position. Spencer was a politician and landowner rather than a military man and there does not appear to be any record of him serving with an Hussar regiment. Vanderbank’s capability in recreating the rich materials and textiles of this exotic uniform gives the sitter an added gravitas and the size of the portrait gives additional swagger.
  • Creator:
    John Vanderbank (1694 - 1739, British)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1737
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 97.5 in (247.65 cm)Width: 57 in (144.78 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
    Canvas,Oil
  • Movement & Style:
    Old Masters
  • Period:
    Mid-18th Century
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    A condition report can be provided if requested.
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1959214144542
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