Edward Prince (b.1718/19), Carpenter, aged 73
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1792 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1143 x 914 mm (45 x 36 in)
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1151287
Caption
This portrait of one of the labourers on the Erdigg estate is inscribed with sixteen lines of humorous verse set out on a scroll in the foreground. The verse was composed by Erdigg's owner, Philip I Yorke (1743-1804). It is one of a group of portraits of Erdigg's servants painted by local artist, John Walters. The carpenter stands in the park, an axe over his shoulder and a view of the West front of Erdigg visible in the distance.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Edward Prince (b.1718/19), Carpenter by John Walters of Denbigh (Welsh, fl. 1791-6), 1792, inscribed with 16 lines of verse on scroll, on a wall, next to a tree on the right. He is standing, full-length, in the park, an axe over his shoulder, a view of West front of Erddig in distance. Aged 73 in 1792 according to published version of poem. He was the son of Charles Prince, who was Carpenter at Erddig in the time of Meller, who nicknamed him 'the Black Prince' because of his complexion. A John Prince was carpenter to Joshua Edisbury form about 1690, and still employed at Erddig in 1715.
Provenance
Commissioned by Philip Yorke I (1743 - 1804) and thence by descent;given by Philip Yorke III (1905 – 1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: With 16 lines of verse on a scroll, on a wall right. Signed and Dated: John Walters of Denbigh / 1792
References
Yorke, 1802: Crude-ditties by PhilipYorke, 1802 Steegman 1957 John Steegman, A Survey of Portraits in Welsh Houses, Vol.I: North Wales, Cardiff, 1957, pp.97-98 Waterson, 1980: Merlin Waterson, The Servants' Hall. A Domestic History of Erddig, Routledge & Kegan 1980, 1980, pp. 56-57, frontispiece & colour cover of dust jacket. Erddig, Clwyd: 1995 [The National Trust] 1995, p.41-2.