It is always interesting to see when art crosses mediums, from an 18th century painted portrait to a late Victorian re-interpretation. Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait lives on and can be seen at Greene & Greene Antiques.
Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 - 23 February 1792) was an influential eighteenth-century English painter, specialising in portraits. He was one of the major British painters of the 18th Century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on the idealisation of the imperfect. He was a founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, and was knighted by George III in 1769.
Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 - 23 February 1792) was an influential eighteenth-century English painter, specialising in portraits. He was one of the major British painters of the 18th Century. He promoted the "Grand Style" in painting which depended on the idealisation of the imperfect. He was a founder and first president of the Royal Academy of Arts, and was knighted by George III in 1769.
 Comparing the two images (above and to the right) you can see Sir Joshua Reynolds 'Heads of Angels Miss Frances Gordon' the silver re-interpretation and the portrait respectively. The five year old Lady Frances Gordon sat for Reynolds for this unusual portrait in July and August 1786, and again in March 1787. The portrait is composed of a series of studies of Frances Gordon's head from five different angles. |  Sir Joshua Reynolds 'Heads of Angels Miss Frances Gordon' 1786-7 |
You may ask why was this little girl painted? Frances Isabella Keir Gordon (1782-1831) was the only daughter of Lord William Gordon. Her uncles was Lord George Gordon, whose political activities had sparked the anti-Catholic riots of 1780. A notable family had asked an influential painter to stray away from his usual 'fancy pictures' (painting of scenes of everyday life with elements of imagination, invention or storytelling) to compose a portrait.
The Victorians being a rather sentimental group loved this portrait which has been on show at the Tate since 1841 and has been reproduced a number of times across prints and other mediums. One of the more fascinating reproductions is this interpretation on a set of seven sterling silver and cut crystal boxes in all different shapes and sizes, hallmarked in Birmingham 1904-08 that we have in store. Ideal as a christening present or a gift for a special god daughter, it will be cherished for years to come.
The Victorians being a rather sentimental group loved this portrait which has been on show at the Tate since 1841 and has been reproduced a number of times across prints and other mediums. One of the more fascinating reproductions is this interpretation on a set of seven sterling silver and cut crystal boxes in all different shapes and sizes, hallmarked in Birmingham 1904-08 that we have in store. Ideal as a christening present or a gift for a special god daughter, it will be cherished for years to come.
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