Portrait of Lord Bolingbroke

Object number86.1.9 a,b

Artist Thomas Hudson (English, 1701 - 1779)

MediumOil on canvas; Wood; Paint

Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection

DescriptionFramed oil painting. Three-quarter bust portrait of a man wearing a white curly wig. He is facing left and gazes directly at the viewer. He is wearing a beige-colored suit coat, white shirt and white tie. A lace handkerchief is in his breast pocket. His right arm with ruffled shirt sleeve is placed inside his vest. Gold frame.Dimensions29.9999 x 0.75 x 25 in. (76.2 x 1.9 x 63.5 cm)
InscriptionsMetal plaquette at base of stretcher with inscription: Lord Bolingbroke/Thomas Hudson/1701 1779
MarksLabel remnants glued to top canvas stretcher on reverse reads: AMERICAN ART ASSO
Historical NotesThomas Hudson was an English portrait painter who was most prolific between 1740 and 1760. From 1745 until 1755 he was the most successful London portraitist. One of his many pupils was Joshua Reynolds. Henry St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, was an English politician, government official and political philosopher. He was a leader of the Tories, and supported the Church of England politically despite his antireligious views and opposition to theology. He supported the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 which sought to overthrow king George I. After the failed rebellion, he escaped to France and became foreign minister for the Pretender, James Francis Edward Stuart. He was attainted for treason, but reversed course and was allowed to return to England in 1723.

Related person Henry St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (1678 - 1751)

Related institution Tory Party

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