Portrait of Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington with Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas c.1783

Portrait of Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington with Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, c. 1783 Executed in the Style of Sir Joshua Reynolds 🖼️ Overview This rare and arresting late 18th-century watercolour on paper portrays Charles Stanhope, 3rd Earl of Harrington, in full ceremonial armor, accompanied by Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, a young Jamaican boy. Painted circa 1783 in the Grand Manner tradition, it merges aristocratic grandeur with colonial complexity — a work as aesthetically powerful as it is historically poignant. 🖌️ Artistic Style & Composition Inspired by the theatrical portraiture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, the painting employs a classically triangular composition and stormy backdrop, rendered here with surprising softness through the watercolour medium. Stanhope commands the centre, gleaming in cool-toned armor with a bold crimson sash, framed by a sky roiling with indigo and ochre tones — a metaphor for the turbulent geopolitical climate of the time. To his side stands Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, solemn and steady, holding the Earl’s helmet. Dressed in dark livery, his portrayal is naturalistic and unidealized — a striking contrast to Stanhope’s mythic elevation. Where the Earl is symbolic of British imperial power, Marcus embodies presence, dignity, and a story rarely told. The visual hierarchy, leading the eye from Marcus to Stanhope and into the swirling heavens, encapsulates the complex dynamics of race, empire, and legacy — elevating the painting beyond portraiture into cultural commentary. 📜 Historical Context Charles Stanhope (1753–1829) served in Jamaica during the final years of the American Revolutionary War — the most militarized of Britain’s slave colonies. Promoted to Colonel in 1782 and later Aide-de-Camp to King George III, he inherited his title shortly before marrying Jane Fleming, whose family wealth stemmed from Caribbean plantations. Marcus Richard Fitzroy Thomas, likely 14 at the time of this portrait, was brought to Britain as part of Stanhope’s household. His life, uncovered through parish and military records, is extraordinary: baptized in London (on the same day as Stanhope’s child), he joined the Westminster militia as a drummer, later married, fathered children, and died in poverty in 1816. He is buried at St. Martin’s Gardens, Camden — his name a rare and powerful record in the history of Black presence in Britain. 🧑‍🎨 Attribution Though unsigned, the work is unmistakably in the mature style of Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) — first President of the Royal Academy and master of allegorical portraiture. The stormy sky, armor, and pose speak to Reynolds’s influence, but the candid, humane rendering of Marcus introduces a rare tension, subtly challenging the very ideals of the genre. 🖼️ Frame & Display Presented in a beautifully hand-crafted reverse-profile gold leaf frame, recently added to enhance period authenticity. The work has been expertly conserved and reglazed with museum-quality AR70 glass — anti-reflective and UV-protective, preserving the delicate pigment and enhancing display in any lighting condition. Framed Size: 55 cm (Height) × 47 cm (Width) Depth: 1.5 cm 📚 Provenance Private Scottish Collection Acquired through a respected Scottish auction Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD Exhibited at a regional museum in the Midlands 💎 Key Features ✅ A rare watercolour in the Grand Manner tradition, rich in detail and meaning ✅ Features a named Black subject — an extreme rarity in 18th-century British art ✅ Layered with themes of race, empire, identity, and remembrance ✅ Framed and protected with museum-grade materials for long-term preservation ✅ Ideal for collectors, curators, historians, and those drawn to culturally resonant art 🛒 Add to Your Collection Own a museum-worthy portrait that bridges centuries of history and speaks directly to our present. 🔎 Explore more curated pieces in our eBay shop: Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD 💬 Questions? We’re happy to assist — message us anytime for further details.