Items Similar to John Henry Frederick Bacon, A.R.A. Life-size English Family Portrait
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13
John Henry Frederick Bacon, A.R.A. Life-size English Family Portrait
About the Item
Our magnificent oil on canvas by John Henry Frederick Bacon, A.R.A. (1868-1914), entitled The Golden Butterfly, depicts the family of John and Julietta Boyd-Harvey at Tondu House in South Wales in 1907. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1907, no. 572.
This very large painting depicts the Boyd-Harvey family on the lawn of Tondu House in South Wales, with the mountain and valley of Tondu in the background. John Bacon, an Associate of the Royal Academy, was a respected society painter and friend of the family. It was commissioned on the eve of the wedding of Georgiana, the eldest daughter. In the artistic language of the Edwardian period, the painting's title references the butterfly, a symbol of marital bliss. Note the butterfly above the heads of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd-Harvey.
Bacon submitted several portraits to the Academy each year, and was skillful in created group portraits. His best known pictures are The Coronation of King Edward VII for Westminster Abbey, now in the National Portrait Gallery, and City of London Volunteers return to London from South Africa, 1900, now in the Guildhall Art Gallery, City of London. While pictures by Bacon commemorating civic events have recently appeared at auction, no group portrait painted on such a scale has yet emerged.
John Boyd-Harvey was educated in Cornwall, but studied gas production under Thornton Andrews at Swansea gasworks. His brother Robert, elder by thirteen years, had established himself in South America where he had entered partnership with Colonel North, known as 'the Nitrate King' owing to his exploitation of the nitrate deposits of Chile. At the age of 21, John journeyed to join him and met his wife, Julietta Belvedere Grenadino, on the Chilean-Peruvian borders at the height of the civil war of the 1880s. By 1888 Colonel North had decided to invest in the mines of South Wales, and with a growing family, John Boyd-Harvey was relieved to accept his invitation to manage his interests there. In 1892 he was appointed General Manager and Managing Director of North's Navigation Collieries Ltd.
The family moved to Tondu House, and Julietta proceeded to bring considerable Spanish flair to the Welsh Valleys. In addition to an indoor staff of seven, three governesses, Miss Mackay, Miss MacLinden, and Miss Dalton, representing Scotland, Ireland and England, were employed to educate the seven children. Julietta enjoyed a substantial income to supplement her husband's, as her uncles were cabinet ministers in the Peruvian government and she was proud of her descent from Spanish Conquistadors who were reputed to have married into the Peruvian, Inca "royal" family.
When her daughter Georgiana married Amaro Duarte y Moreno, of Malaga, Spain, Julietta entertained on a scale previously unseen in the region. Effusive descriptions of the wedding appeared in the Lady's Pictorial, with illustrations of the costumes worn and a list of presents given. Bacon's portrait, which was on view in the house during the wedding breakfast, encapsulates the family's glamour and prosperity.
Founded in 1650, Tondu House comprised two large estate homes plus stables and servant's quarters, and looked out over hundreds of acres. Boyd-Harvey apparently acquired the property soon after being appointed General Manager of North's Navigation Collieries Ltd. in 1892. The family is believed to have sold the property upon his retirement at the age of 52 in 1913, five years following the passing of his wife, Julieta. John passed just three years later in 1916. The property was commandeered in 1940 by the Ministry of Supply for the Pyrotechnic Research Department (PRD) to produce small to medium weapons including development of incendiary flares that were dropped on targets by Pathfinder aircraft. After the war the laboratories continued to operate until 1957. The home was demolished in 1963 by its owner, the Merthyr Mawr Estate, and its extensive land leased to a local farmer until 2001.
The postcard image shown here dates from the 1900s.
- Dimensions:Height: 91 in (231.14 cm)Width: 144 in (365.76 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Edwardian (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1900-1909
- Date of Manufacture:1907
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, US
- Reference Number:Seller: 0271stDibs: LU6079226518192
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 1990
1stDibs seller since 2021
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New York, US
- 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 AllLouis Theophile Hingre Self Portrait
Located in New York, US
Our self-portrait by Louis Theophile Hingre (1832-1911) is signed and dated 1891. Stretcher measures 25.5 by 32 inches. Frame measures 33 by 39....
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Romantic Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Medusa Portrait by Karel Eichhoff 'Austrian, 1899-?'
Located in New York, US
Our haunting and beautiful portrait on canvas of Medusa was painted by the Austrian-born artist Karel Eichhoff (1899-?). Stretcher measures 12.25 by 13.25 inches and the period giltwood frame measures 20 by 21 inches. Signed in lower right. With written authentication completed by the independent appraiser, Antonin Kleinwachter, Brno, Czech Republic, in 1976.
Provenance: Jay Waldmann, Southampton, New York.
The artist was born in Graz (Štýrský Hradec) in the south-eastern part of Austria. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague from 1920 to 1924 under Professor Karl Krattner (1862-1926). He exhibited at Krasoumná Jednota, the provincial association formed in 1835 to support fine arts. Members included patrons from royalty and the state, including Emperor Francis Joseph...
Category
Early 20th Century Expressionist Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Baron Rothschild Group Portrait Oil Painting Circa 1890
Located in New York, US
Our charming painting, German School, circa 1890, depicts Sir Nathan Mayer Rothschild, 2nd Baronet (1840-1915), made Baron Rothschild in 1885, on the far right side, entertaining a g...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Paintings
Materials
Canvas
17th Century French Still Life Oil Painting by Baudouin Yvart
Located in New York, US
Our still life depicting a metal brazier on ledge is a rare painting by Baudouin Yvart (French, 1611-1690). Stretcher measures 15 1/4 by 19 inches.
It has an extraordinary ebonized sgraffito frame, 24 by 28 by 1 3/4 inches, with inlaid mother of pearl and pewter mounts.
Professionally relined and mounted on keyed stretcher.
Provenance: Private Collection, Paris, by 1974; Anonymous sale; Boisgirard et Associés, Paris, June 26, 1985, lot 26; Jocelyn Fielding Fine Art Ltd., London; Mr. and Mrs. John H. Gutfreund, CEO Salomon Brothers, New York.
Literature: Michel Faré, Le grand siecle de la nature morte...
Category
Antique 17th Century French Baroque Paintings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Alexandre Dumas Portrait by Theobald Chartran Featured in Vanity Fair 1879
Located in New York, US
Our portrait of Alexandre Dumas fils (1824-1895) in pencil and watercolour heightened with white by Theobald Chartran (1849-1907) is the original artwo...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Paintings
Materials
Paper
Life Size Orientalist Figurative Bronze Torchiere
Located in New York, US
Our extraordinary patinated bronze torchiere depicting a female slave comes from the firm of Lacarrière Frères & Delatours. Signed "Lacarrière Freres & Delatours", "Paris 1880". Fitted for electricity in the late nineteenth century, but currently in need of sockets and wiring. Provenance: Rochelle Sepenuk, New York, NY.
The firm of Auguste Lacarrière sent exhibits to the the first International Exhibition in London in 1851. At that time they seem to have occupied two Paris addresses, 9 rue St Elizabeth and 55 rue Meslay, as well as having another outlet in Limoges. They are recorded as showing "specimens of lustres, sconces, chandeliers, medallions, etc..". By the 1862 Exhibition they were only recorded at the Sainte Elizabeth address and showed, "appareils à gaz de fonte, de zinc et de bronze." Nevertheless, their exhibit was highly praised and the business, now called A. Lacarrière, Père et Fils...
Category
Antique 1880s French Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
You May Also Like
English Ebonized Henry VIII Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
English ebonized framed oil portrait, painting of Henry VIII with plume in hat
Category
20th Century British Victorian Paintings
Materials
Paint
Family Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a traditional style portrait of family with four children - Infant on Mothers Lap.
Category
Late 20th Century American Victorian Paintings
Materials
Paint
$13,750
Antique Oil On Canvas Painted by American Artist Henry Bacon
By Henry Bacon
Located in New Orleans, LA
This painting is the work of American artist Henry Bacon (1839-191), who painted French genre portraits as a member of the Pont Aven School. He was a peer of Paul Gauguin.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Paintings
Materials
Paint
A Large American Family Portrait "The Brookins Family" 1838
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Large oil on canvas painting of "The Brookins Family" American circa 1838. Acquired from the collection of Peter Tillou, exhibited at the William Benton Museum, Storrs, Connecticut...
Category
Antique 1830s American American Colonial Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Copy of Allegorical Family Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Copy of a traditional Southern allegorical painting of family portrait showing mother playing with tiny daughter while son and architect father look on.
Category
Late 20th Century American Victorian Paintings
Materials
Paint
William Frederick Foster ''Portrait of Youth'' Oil
By William Frederick Foster
Located in Dallas, TX
William Frederick Foster (1883-1953 American) ''Portrait of Youth'' Oil on Canvas 30''x25'' Image. Signed middle left. Gilt gallery framing 36''x31''. Professionally cleaned and reli...
Category
Antique 1890s American American Classical Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
