Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst
Isaac Gosset (1713 - 1799)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
1771
Materials
Wax
Measurements
119 x 89 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Dyrham, Gloucestershire
NT 454734
Summary
Wax portrait of Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst (1714-1794) by Isaac Gosset (1713-1799), 1771. Head and shoulders profile portrait in cream wax facing to the left. Bathurst is depicted in the formal court dress of the Lord Chancellor, wearing a long full bottomed wig, waistcoat, white shirt, lace stock and a robe of state trimmed with lace. The portrait is mounted on glass painted green from behind, and set within a gilt oval frame. Inscribed on reverse in ink '2nd Earl/ Bathurst/ Lord Chancellor/ 1771.'
Full description
This wax portrait was probably commissioned to celebrate Henry Bathhurst's appointment as Lord Chancellor in 1771; he is depicted in the full robes of office and a wig. The wax was modelled by Isaac Gosset, one of the most well-renowned wax modellers of the eighteenth century. Gosset was born in St Helier, Jersey, moving to England to work in the workshop of his uncle, Matthew Gosset. He produced likenesses of the most noted personalities of the day, including various portraits of the royal family. This wax model was used in 1776 by the medalist, John Kirk, to produce a portrait medal of Henry Bathurst (see British Museum collection MG.1520). There is also a mezzotint dated 1773 made by Richard Houston and published by Charles Bathurst and Robert Sayer, titled Henry Lord Apsley, in which the portrait appears to be directly taken from the wax by Gosset (British Museum 1902,1011.2575). Anna Moore, 2018
Provenance
First recorded in the 1937 inventory of Dyrham Park. Purchased by the Ministry of Works through the National Land Fund and transferred to the National Trust for Dyrham Park in 1956.
Credit line
National Trust Collections (Dyrham Park, The Blathwayt Collection. Acquired by the Ministry of Works via the National Land Fund in 1956, and transferred to the National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed on reverse: 2nd Earl/ Bathurst/ Lord Chancellor/ 1771
Makers and roles
Isaac Gosset (1713 - 1799), sculptor