The Reverend Henry Case, later The Reverend Henry Case-Morewood (1746/7-1825)
Joseph Wright of Derby (Derby 1734 - Derby 1797)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1782 (initialled and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas in gilt frame.
Measurements
1575 x 1285 mm (62 x 50.6 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Clandon Park, Surrey
NT 1440719
Summary
[Destroyed in the fire of 2015] Oil painting on canvas, the Reverend Henry Case, later The Reverend Henry Case-Morewood (1746/7-1825), signed and dated bottom right: I. W. P. 82 [1782]. A full-length portrait of Henry Case, Rector of Ladbroke, Warwickshire who married Ellen Goodwin, widow of George Morewood, in 1793 when he assumed the name Morewood, in addition to his own. The Palmers, who inherited Alfreton Hall. Derbyshire and its contents from his wife's sister, were in no blood relation to him. He is seated to right beneath a tree in a landscape that rises to the right; he is dressed in 17th-century 'Van Dyck' costume of a black coat, breeches, and cloak and lace ruff; a book is supported on his knee. At his feet at the right a spaniel is asleep. This portrait and its pendant (NT1440718) date from the beginning of the period when Wright, by then less prolific as a portrait painter, was producing some of his best, and most naturalistic, likenesses. The pair of portraits were commissioned from the artist 11 years before the couple married. It is also a little incongruous that he employs the somewhat old-fashioned convention of 'Van Dyck' dress, but it may reflect some role-playing in the slightly curious relationship of the sitters.
Provenance
Commissioned from the artist 11 years before his marriage to Ellen Goodwin, Mrs George Morewood; Palmer-Morewood family; on loan to the Brighton Art Gallery from before 1968, and to the National Trust from 1981 until accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of tax on the estate of Mr R.C.A. Palmer-Morewood, and transferred to the National Trust for Hatchlands, 1983; on loan to Clandon Park since 2002
Marks and inscriptions
Bottom right.: I. W. P. 82 [1782]
Makers and roles
Joseph Wright of Derby (Derby 1734 - Derby 1797), artist
References
Nicolson 1968 Benedict Nicolson, Joseph Wright of Derby, London, 1968, Cat.108, vol.I, pp.17, 70, n.2, 72 & 212-13; vol.II, pl.223.