John Parker, later 1st Earl of Morley (1772-1840), and his Sister Theresa Parker, later the Hon. Mrs George Villiers (1775-1856), as children
Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
Feb 1779 - Jul 1779
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1422 x 1118 mm (56 x 44 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 872091
Caption
The idea for this double portrait was conceived at an ‘excellent and comfortable,’ dinner at the Parker family home in Sackville Street, London which Reynolds attended in February 1779. The children were taken for their first sitting a week later. The children’s uncle, Frederick Robinson, was in attendance and writes that he “met Nanny [Anne Robinson – the children’s aunt] at Sr Joshua’s where the Children went to set for the first time. I have no doubt but it will make a very pretty picture and as Sr Joshua has so many opportunities of seeing them he will catch their true natural countenances.” [1] Thus commenced a series of sittings over the course of the following months. Within 10 days, and after 3 sittings, the work was already taking shape when Anne Robinson shared in a letter that “our dear little children will be very like indeed, he [Reynolds] has caught the exact expression of their countenances and is himself much pleasd with the picture.” [2] In March, sittings were delayed because the children were poorly: “'the children have not lately sat for their pictures on account of a little snivelling cold which made their noses red.” [3] Though they sat again in late March, Anne judged that they “had not recovered their good looks,” and that “it will not be finished for some time but will be a very fine picture and very like, I cannot very well describe the composition of it but they are very near kissing, an attitude that they are very often in.” [4] Reynolds was famously experimental, using different pigments and materials that were known to fade and crack. Frederick alludes to this common problem in a letter to his brother, Thomas Grantham, that says “I hope the colours will not fade before you see it.”[5] Another common theme in Parker family correspondence was to chide Reynolds for his lateness in delivering portraits. This had been the case with his portrait of Theresa Parker (NT 8721496) seven years earlier and was no different this time. In June, Reynolds had told Frederick it would be finished ‘without loss of time,’ but a month later in July, he “promised to finish the picture of the children in the course of next week.” [6] Finally on July 27th, Anne records that “'the picture is set out - we expect it in the course of the week.” [7] Reynolds was paid 200 guineas for the work. By 1819 it was displayed in the library (116 in Saltram's 1819 catalogue) but was probably moved to its current location in the morning room in the later 19th century when the library book cases were extended. This picture is often considered one of Reynolds’ great representations of childhood and himself claimed that the head of John was one of the best he ever did. This portrait was particularly poignant for the family – and perhaps the artist too – given that the children’s mother, Theresa Parker, died less than 4 years earlier. It happened very suddenly on 21st December 1775, shortly after giving birth to Theresa, the little girl in this portrait. Reynolds’ own great friendship with Theresa is evident in the obituary he wrote describing her “Amiable disposition, her softness and gentleness of manners endeared her to every person that that the happiness of knowing her.” [8] Reynolds painted many portraits of the Parker family over the years, but this was his first after Theresa’s sudden death and so was perhaps particularly special. [1] BLARS L30/14/333/178, 12. 12th February 1779 [2] BLARS L30/14/333/181, 23rd February 1779 [3] BLARS L30/14/333/185, 9th March 1779 [4] BL Add Mss 48218, 26th March 1779 [5] BLARS L30/14/333/208, 14th May 1779 [6] BLARS L30/14/333/215, 7th July 1779 [7] Plymouth Archives, The Box: 259/1/26, 27th July 1779 [8] The Public Advertiser, 29th December 1775
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, John Parker, later 1st Earl of Morley (1772-1840) and his Sister Theresa Parker, later the Hon. Mrs George Villiers (1775-1856), as children by Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792), 1779. John and Theresa as children are seated full length on a bank beneath a tree. The little girl, right in white dress, pink sash and white cap with a pink ribbon, faces the spectator, her hands folded on her lap. The boy, wearing a red coat and white breeches, has his arms round the waist of his sister. John Parker, son of 1st Lord Boringdon. Created Earl of Morley. Theresa married George Villiers, son of 1st Earl of Clarendon.
Provenance
Sittings between February and July 1779. Arrived at Saltram in August 1779. Accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of full payment of Estate Duty from the Executors of Edmund Robert Parker (1877-1951), 4th Earl of Morley and transferred on loan to NT Saltram in 1957 and transferred as an outright gift to NT in 1984 under s.9 of the Heritage Act 1980 to be maintained and preserved for display to the public at Saltram House with which they have a significant association.
Credit line
Saltram, The Morley Collection (accepted in lieu of tax by HM Treasury, and transferred to The National Trust in 1957)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: Inscription: (painted out), bottom left, Jno & Theresa , Son & / Dr of Jno Ld Boringdon Recto: Inscribed, bottom right: Sr J:Reynolds / pinxit 1781
Makers and roles
Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (Plympton 1723 - London 1792), artist
References
Saltram 1902 Catalogue of Pictures at Saltram and 31 Prince's Gardens 1902, pp.5-7, No.19 Portrait Groups from National Trust Collections (exh cat) Arts Council of Great Britain (touring exh), National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Wakefield, Luton, Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne, Coventry, 1960-1, no. 17, pp.18-19, pl.V Waterhouse 1941 Ellis K. Waterhouse, Reynolds, London, 1941, p.73 Catalogue of the Pictures, Casts and Busts belonging to the Earl of Morley at Saltram. 1819, p.27