Edward Phelips V MP (1725-1797)
attributed to Thomas Beach (Milton Abbas 1738 – Dorchester 1806)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1765
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1270 x 1016 mm (50 x 40 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Montacute House, Somerset
NT 597915
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Edward Phelips V (1725-1797), attributed to Thomas Beach (Milton Abbas 1738 – Dorchester 1806). A portrait of a mature man, three-quarter length seated on high-backed chair covered in pink silk, he is turned slightly to left, gazing at spectator, his right arm resting on a table on the left holding a sheet of paper inscribed with the sitter’s name and date, Jan 1765, and addressed to him at Montacute and over a pentiment is written the name (?) Gfre Napier, in brown ink (traces of orig. letters in black beneath). Three books rest on the table, (i) a volume of 'Works' by John Locke (1632-1704) and (ii) A translation of Montesquieu's: 'The Spirit of Laws'. The sitter is in a curled brown wig and is wearing a blue suit composed of coat, waistcoat both with blue buttons, breeches, simple white stock, white frills at wristsand white stockings. In the background to the right is large looped pink silk drape. Son of Edward Phelips IV (1678-1734) and Elizabeth Phelips (1689-1750) he married Maria Wright (1730-1793).He was M.P. for Somerset, between 1774 and 1780. He was the builder of the new WEst front of Montacute.
Provenance
On loan from the Phelips family since 1931; purchased from David Phelips with the aid of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the V&A Museums and Galleries Commission Purchase Grant Fund in 1989
Credit line
Montacute House, The Phelips Collection (The National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: Inscribed on letter which is placed on the table beside him. Over a pentiment is written the name ? of Gfre Napier in brown ink (traces of original letters in black beneath: Edward Phelips Jan 1765 (?) Gfre Napier the sitter’s name and date, Jan 1765, are inscribed on letter, addressed to him at Montacute, which is placed on the table beside him. Over a pentiment is written the name (?) Gfre Napier, in brown ink (traces of orig. letters in black beneath).
Makers and roles
attributed to Thomas Beach (Milton Abbas 1738 – Dorchester 1806), artist
References
Gore 1969: F. St John Gore, 'Pictures in National Trust Houses', supplement to Burlington Magazine, Vol.cxi, No.793. April 1969, pp.239-58, p.248."Montacute House, Somerset (Montacute, Nr. Yeovil) Beach, T. Edwards Phelips 30 x 25." Montacute House, Somerset, 1976 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1976, THE GREAT HALL Portraits Loaned by Mr David Phelips, from (left to right). Edward Phelips (1725-97). His name and the date, Jan. 1765, are recorded in the letter on the table beside him. Nephew of the above. Built the new west front." Montacute House, Somerset, 1976 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1976, An Illustrated Souvenir, Illustrated. Caption to illustration: "Edward Phelips (1725-97). He rebuilt the west front. His diary records his coming of age in 1746; tables were laid in the Gallery and Hall and 'A large ox of forty score was roasted before the house; 8 hogshead of cyder and four of strong beer were given the populace; one hogshead of wine and two of punch were drank in the house; very little trouble or disorder prevailed'." Montacute House, Somerset, 1979 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, p.36. Ilustrated. Caption: "Edward Phelips (1725-97) from the portrait in the Hall." Montacute House, Somerset, 1986 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, revised 1986 , p.36. Ilustrated. Caption: "Edward Phelips (1725-97) from the portrait in the Hall." Montacute House, Somerset, 1986-1987 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, revised 1986 reprinted 1987 , p.36. Ilustrated. Caption: "Edward Phelips (1725-97) from the portrait in the Hall." Montacute House, Somerset, 1991 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 1991, p.57 THE GREAT HALL WEST WALL (FACING WINDOWS) Edward Phelips (1725-97) Son of Edward Phelips (1678-1734) and builder of the new west front. He holds a letter addressed to him at Montacute and dated 1765. On eht table are Locke's works and Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Unknown artist, 1765." Montacute House, Somerset, 1997 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 1991, revised 1997 , p.57 THE GREAT HALL WEST WALL (FACING WINDOWS) Edward Phelips (1725-97) Son of Edward Phelips (1678-1734) and builder of the new west front. He holds a letter addressed to him at Montacute and dated 1765. On the table are Locke's works and Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Unknown artist, 1765." Montacute House, Somerset, 2004-2006 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 2000, revised 2004, reprinted 2005, 2006, p.45 THE GREAT HALL WEST WALL (FACING WINDOWS) Edward Phelips (1725-97) Son of Edward Phelips (1678-1734) and builder of the new west front. He holds a letter addressed to him at Montacute and dated 1765. On the table are Locke's works and Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws. Attributed to Thomas Beach (1738-1806), 1765."