Figure 1.-- This portrait is a splendid example of formal Georgian children's portariture dome in ther rococo style. It is how the the children of a wealthy family were tradtioinally depicted. It is not he only way chldren were dpicte, but it wasghe most common. The children are beautifully rendeed. Nine-year old John, the son and heir of John Julius Angerstein is the focus of the painting. John is depicted in a bright red suit, except for the color he is dressed as an adult. "

This portrait is a splendid example of formal Georgian children's portariture dome in ther rococo style. It is how the the children of a wealthy family were tradtioinally depicted. It is not he only way chldren were dpicte, but it wasghe most common. The children are beautifully rendeed. Nine-year old John, the son and heir of John Julius Angerstein is the focus of the painting. John is depicted in a bright red suit, except for the color he is dressed as an adult. Brightly colored suits were not unusual at the time, but bright red would have been seen as a bit 'over the top' for an adult man. YThe blcvk sduits men wore did not become common untill well into the 19th century. Men also wore their hair long at the time-but not llikrJohn's flowing locks. . Actually wigs were still common. Long pants skeleton suits were jst appearing or boys t he time, but does not seen o have mpaced any of the famles har Reynolds bpainted. John's older sister, Juliana, gently restrains the playful spaniel which is trying o leap onto her lap. Althogh nothing to du with the art work, her gaze shold have been down on the pooch. Small dogs like this often appear in portrais of wealthy families. The painting besides being beauiflly done is of interest because of Jonn's father and his role in Engkish art history. John Julius Angerstein (1735-1823) was a very successful British businessman born in of all places, St. Petersburg Russia. He had a pashion for art and because of his wealth an umportant art collector. He worked an underwriter for Lloyd's of London. His father appears to have been a bon vivant. It was rumored that he was a natural son of Empress Catherine II or of Emperess Elizabeth. More vlikely he was the son of Empress Anna and London businessman Andrew Poulett Thompson. At any rate, after his death, his art collection was about to be sold by his estate (1804). King George IV and British Prime Minister Lord Liverpool decided that his collection should be purchased the British public. This was essentially the founding of the National Gallery. Angerstein's home at 100 Pall Mall was purchased to show case his treasures.

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Created: 4:36 AM 11/28/2025
Last updated: 4:36 AM 11/28/2025