Items Similar to 18th century portrait painting of a boy playing with a spinning top on a terrace
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Philippe Mercier18th century portrait painting of a boy playing with a spinning top on a terrace1740
1740
About the Item
Portrait of a young boy, full-length in a blue velvet coat and breeches, standing on a stone terrace in a park landscape, playing with a spinning top. Signed and dated ' Phil. Mercier fecit/Ano 1740 (on the stone pedestal lower right).
Oil on canvas in a period giltwood frame
Provenance:
By descent in the King-Wilkinson family of Staidburn, Clitheroe to the following,
Mrs M.A.L. Williams, sold by her executors on behalf of the MS Society; Sotheby’s, London, 'British Paintings 1500-1850', 21 November 1984, lot 30 (featured on the catalogue front cover and sold for £38,000)
Anonymous sale; Christie’s, London, 'British Pictures 1500-1850' 22 November 2006, lot 20 (sold for £48,000)
Private collection, London
Philippe Mercier (Berlin 1689- 1760 London) was born in Berlin, the son of a French Huguenot tapestry weaver at the Royal factory. He studied in Berlin at the Akademie der Künste and under Antoine Pesne, who from 1711 was court painter to Frederick I of Prussia, whose brother-in-law, George, elector of Hanover, became king of England (as George I) in 1714. It was probably in 1716 that, 'recommended from the Court at Hanover' (Vertue, Note books, 3.37), Mercier went to London, bringing a portrait of Frederick, the little grandson of George I.
In the early 1720's Mercier's work was dominated by the influence of Watteau, with whose work he was clearly intimately acquainted and he was an important figure in the introduction of French taste in English painting. He etched a number of Watteau's works and painted variations on the theme of the fête-champêtre with either commedia dell'arte figures or English family groups of loyal Hanoverian courtiers. Such groups, of which there are fine examples at Belton House, Lincolnshire, and in the Tate collection, launched the conversation piece in British painting. Mercier was also active at this time as a picture dealer, selling a number of paintings ‘collected abroad’ (Cock's, 21 April 1724).
On becoming Prince of Wales, Frederick commissioned Mercier to paint a series of whole-length portraits of the prince and his three sisters, the princesses Anne, Amelia, and Caroline (Shire Hall, Hertford), all four being engraved by John Simon, who described them as painted in 1728. They presumably brought about Mercier's appointments in 1729 as the prince's principal painter (on 17 February) and page of the bedchamber (on 6 March). On 26 January 1730 he was also made library keeper. In addition he shared with the prince an interest in the theatre; in 1729 they collaborated in a production of Thomas Doggett's Hob at Richmond, and in 1733 Mercier was a shareholder in Rich's Theatre at Covent Garden, London. His informal portrait of Handel (c.1730, priv. coll.) further suggests his interest in the performing arts. He painted more portraits of the prince in 1730 (priv. coll.) and about 1736 (National Portrait Gallery, London), and in 1733 he painted an informal musical group of the prince with his three sisters (versions in the Royal Collection; National Portrait Gallery, London; and Cliveden, Buckinghamshire). Mercier's association with the Royal Family continued when he was appointed as drawing master to the young princesses.
In 1737 he retired from Court life and moved to York in 1739, where he stayed for thirteen years, becoming immensely popular with the local gentry. Mercier visited Ireland in 1747 and Edinburgh in 1750, but in 1751 he let his house in York and returned to London. In 1752 he went to Portugal, where he was joined by his family. It is not known how long he stayed, but one of his last portraits, of the Burton family of London (Musée du Louvre, Paris), may be dated to about 1755.
- Creator:Philippe Mercier (1689 - 1760)
- Creation Year:1740
- Dimensions:Height: 50.01 in (127 cm)Width: 40.01 in (101.6 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:1740-1749
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Bath, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95213601272
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2002
1stDibs seller since 2015
37 sales on 1stDibs
Associations
The British Antique Dealers' AssociationLAPADA - The Association of Arts & Antiques DealersInternational Confederation of Art and Antique Dealers' Associations
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Bath, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
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 All18th century portrait of the German Flautist and composer Johann Joachim Quantz
By Arthur Devis
Located in Bath, Somerset
Portrait of Johann Quantz (1697-1773), flautist and composer, wearing a blue velvet coat, waistcoat and breeches, standing in a garden landscape with ...
Category
18th Century English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
$14,280 Sale Price
20% Off
18th century Dutch portrait of a family group in an interior
Located in Bath, Somerset
An 18th century painting of a family group (otherwise known as a ‘conversation piece’) gathered around a table, an open door to the garden beyond. The father seated, with his son standing by his side, the mother seated, playing with a child on her lap, with another lady, possibly a maid standing behind, a Culpeper microscope...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
A portrait of an English terrier dog standing in a walled garden, signed.l
By John Emms
Located in Bath, Somerset
A terrier named Joe standing in an English country house walled garden, painted by the eminent animal painter John Emms (1844-1912) in the late 19th cent...
Category
1890s English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
A portrait of a black and white spaniel dog in a sumptuous interior
Located in Bath, Somerset
A black and white spaniel standing on a yellow silk damask covered day-bed in a sumptuous interior.
Provenance:
With Arthur Ackermann & Son Ltd., London.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, South Kensington, 15 May 2007, lot 284
Private collection, London
Samuel John Carter...
Category
1870s English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
An English 18th century portrait of James Stanley, standing in a landscape
By John Hamilton Mortimer
Located in Bath, Somerset
Portrait of James Stanley (1750 - 1810), circa 1775-1778, full-length, wearing a red coat and breeches and a gold embroidered waistcoat, hold...
Category
1770s English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas, ABS
19th century English portrait painting of a white poodle dog sitting upright
By Henry Bernard Chalon
Located in Bath, Somerset
A white poodle, sitting upright on its hind legs.
Oil on canvas in a giltwood frame, bearing a plaque 'Henry Bernard Chalon 1770-1849'.
Canvas size: 33 x 26cm
In frame: 45 x 37cm
Provenance:
Phillips sale, London, 24 November 1998, lot 140.
David Messum, London
One of the more important painters of his time, Chalon was the son of Jan Chalon, a Dutch musician and engraver from Amsterdam (1749-95), and 'Jackey' Barnard, the daughter of Sir John Barnard, a financier, London merchant, Lord Mayor and M.P. (1722-61). Chalon studied at the Royal Academy schools and married a sister of the artist James Ward. Their daughter Maria A. Chalon became a miniaturist. Chalon became estranged from his wife and James Ward tried, unsuccessfuly, to damage his career.
Chalon had considerable success as a painter and in 1795 was appointed animal painter to the Duchess of York...
Category
Late 18th Century English School Animal Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
You May Also Like
NEOCLASSICAL FIGURE -In theManner of J. W. Godward Italy Oil on canvas painting
By Eugenio De Blasi
Located in Napoli, IT
Sweet Dreams - Oil on canvas painting, Eugenio De Blasi, Italy, 2011
Gold leaf gilded wooden grame cm. 134x9
The painting by Eugenio De Blasi is inspired by the painting "Sweet Dreams" by John William Godward, a neoclassical Victorian painter...
Category
2010s English School Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Fine 1820's English Georgian Large Portrait of a Country Lady seated with Quill
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Portrait of a Country Lady, depicted Seated wearing a silk glove and with a Quill Pen
English artist, circa 1820's
oil on canvas, unframed
canvas: 35 x 29 inches
provenance: private ...
Category
Early 19th Century English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Portrait After John Constable, Sotheby's Provenance
By John Constable
Located in New York, NY
After John Constable (British, 1776-1837)
Portrait of A Man, c. 1800
Oil on canvas
23 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.
Framed: 34 x 29 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.
Sotheby'...
Category
19th Century English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Fine Large 1800's English Oil Country Gentleman in Parkland before Stately Home
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The English Gentleman and his Country House
English artist, circa 1800-1820 period
Fine Georgian period portrait of a young English gentleman, seated with distant view of his country...
Category
Early 19th Century English School Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Canvas
Family Portrait of Children Large Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
The Family Portrait
British School, 20th century
(painted in an earlier style)
oil on canvas, unframed
canvas: 30 x 24 inches
provenance: private collection, England
condition: overa...
Category
20th Century English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Sir Francis Dicksee Portrait, c. 1900
Located in New York, 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 a member of a noted artistic family, his father, brother, and sister Margaret were all well-known painters, and the family lived in the Bloomsbury area of London. He was initially trained by his father, before entering the Royal Academy schools in 1870. Amongst the visiting lecturers who trained him, were the famous senior academicians Leighton [1830-1896] and Millais [1829-1896].
Dicksee was a star student, earning many distinctions and medals. Like many other artists of the day his early career was largely spent in book illustration, as well as some stained glass window design. He started exhibiting at the RA in the mid 1870s, and also exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery, though his real base was always the Academy. Dicksee made his reputation with Harmony, exhibited at the Academy in 1877, and bought by the Chantry Bequest.
Frank Dicksee was elected ARA in 1881, and became a full RA ten years later. Many of his pictures were of dramatic historical and legendary scenes. He also was a noted painter of elegant, highly-finished portraits of fashionable women, which of course helped to bring him material success. Many of these portraits are so beautiful, it is really difficult to disapprove of them - happy was the fashionable lady whose portrait was painted by Dicksee! He also painted landscapes.
Dicksee lived in St John's Wood, and remained a bachelor. He was, of course, one of the nineteenth century artists who outlived his time, and was, to his credit, very unhappy with developments in the early twentieth century. Rather surprisingly, Dicksee was elected President of the Royal Academy in 1924, fulfilling the role with panache and tact. Physically he was a tall, good-looking, patrician figure, with a charming easy-going manner. Like his predecessor but one Edward Poynter...
Category
Early 1900s English School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
18th Century English French
A Mercier
Recommended Portrait
Richmond London
Antique School Books
Spinning Top
Tapestries 20 Century
Antique Spinning
Picture With Etched Art
Antique Velvet Paintings
English Garden Antiques
Mercier In Paris
Antique English Tapestry
English Antique Tapestries English Tapestries
Active Conversation
Little Boy Portrait
Art Under 1500
Sale 18th C