EARLY 18TH CENTURY PORTRAIT OF A BOY IN CLASSICAL DRESS - ATTRIBUTED TO CHARLES D’AGAR.
A fine quality and highly decorative portrait of a handsome young aristocratic gentleman and his pet bird. He is painted in the oval, dates to c1710 and is firmly attributed to Charles D’Agar (1669-1723).
The fresh faced young boy wears a theatrical version of antique Roman military dress made of shimmering silk. This useful costume convention helped to create an air of timelessness during an age where fashions changed so rapidly that they often left portraits, and the sitters within, looking decidedly past their sell by date.
His vividly coloured red and blue robes shimmer and their splendid gold ‘mask’ detail echoes the three-dimensional decoration (often ferocious animals or mythological figures) on the original metal Roman lorica.
This fine portrait is in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang and enjoy in its original carved and gilded 'Lely style' frame.
Charles D’Agar (1669-1723) D’agar was born in Paris, the son of painter Jacques (Jacob) D'Agar and his wife Marie Picard, the protestant family immigrated to London between 1678 and 1681 by which time Jacques was officially expelled from the French Academy on religious grounds.
His artistic style is often compared to that of Michael Dahl, and Sir Godrey Kneller, and the former specifically for his choice of colour for the sitters clothing.
Both father and son both worked in London painting well-known individuals such as Charles II’s French mistress, Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth. Charles was apprenticed to the painter Robert Robinson and shortly after travelled to Copenhagen with his father where he stayed for six years. His father stayed on as the Danish Court painter but Charles returned to London in 1691 where he established a successful portrait practice working for a wide but especially aristocratic patronage. He left a widow Susannah and a son who was also a painter, possibly named David. In 1707 he charged £7 for a 30 x 25 inch and £12 for a 50 x 40 inch portrait.
Higher resolution images on request.
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Canvas: 29" x 25" / 74cm x 64cm. Frame: 37" x 32" / 95cm x 74cm
SOLD.