Edward Phelips VI MP (c.1753 - 1792)
Lewis Vaslet (York 1742 - Bath 1808)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
1782 (on reverse)
Materials
Pastel (oval)
Measurements
305 x 255 mm
Order this imageCollection
Montacute House, Somerset
NT 598201
Summary
Pastel on paper, Edward Phelips VI MP of Montacute (c. 1753 - 1792) by Lewis Vaslet (York 1742 - Bath 1808). A half-length portrait, wearing a grey coat; inscribed and dated 1782 on reverse; in an oval frame. The re-identification of the sitter was suggested by Neil Jeffares. The sitter had been hitherto been identified as Edward Phelips V, also MP for Somerset. However comparison of the pastel with portraits of him by Cotes (NT 101914) and Beach (attrib.) (101894) imply that the sitter cannot be he. The re-identification is confirmed by comparison with the portrait of the son by Beach (also at Montacute; 101885). There are two other pastels by Vaslet that relate to the Montacute pastel, both in a private collection, and listed under the artist's name in Jeffare's 'Dictionary of Pastellists' (online): one is a straight autograph replica, with nothing on the reverse; the other is a pastel of the same sitter, facing left, in a different costume; it is inscribed 'E Phelips / member for So ....' [Somerset].
Provenance
Purchased by the National Trust at the Newton Surmaville, Somerset sale at Lawrence's (auctioneers), Crewkerne, 2007
Marks and inscriptions
L. Vaslet fecit 1782 This is the property of Mrs Goodford -who has lent it me during my life. Elizabeth Phelips Montacute February 8th 1793.
Makers and roles
Lewis Vaslet (York 1742 - Bath 1808), artist