CIRCLE OF JOHN HOPPNER (1758-1810) - ENGLISH REGENCY PORTRAIT OF MASTER HULL PLAYING CHESS.

Fine Regency portrait of young master Hull playing chess from an artist in the circle of John Hopper (1758-1810).

The handsome and elegant young sitter is depicted half-length seated. From beneath his mop of curly chestnut hair, and with his wide dark eyes averted away from the viewer, he leans upon his elbow and is caught in the act of playing chess.

Master Hull sports the highly fashionable attire of young gentlemen of the period, namely a shimmering russet coloured velvet suit which he wears over an extravagant white frilled collar and black short satin tie.

This most attractive and beguiling early 19th century evocation of childhood is in an excellent state of conservation and comes ready to hang and enjoy in its original composition and gilded frame. See also the sitters brother also currently listed on site. They are available singly, or as a pair in matching frames.

John Hopper (1759-1801) Hoppner was born in London to German parents who lived at the court of King George II. There were rumours that Hoppner was the illegitimate child of George III, but although Hoppner himself never denied this, there is no credible evidence to support these claims. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools from 1775 until 1781, the year in which he married Phoebe Wright. Throughout the 1780s his reputation as a portraitist advanced, until by the end of the decade he was widely regarded as a worthy successor to Reynolds and Gainsborough. The early 1800s brought considerable success for Hoppner, but his frail health was increasingly failing. He died in London aged only 51.

Provenance: The Hull family of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire. Direct descendants of that family.

Higher resolution images on request.                Worldwide shipping available.       

Canvas: 20” x 25” /  109.5cm x 122cm Frame: 24.5” x 28 ” / 51cm x 64cm 

Price: £4800