Figure 1.-- Johannes Verelst (1648-1734) painted the Harpur children, Edward (1713–1761) and his sister Catherine (1721-40), later Lady Gough. The boy on the left is holding a grape vine sugesting the family is involved in agricultura as was much of the aristocrcy. The Indutrial Revolution had not yet occurred. The girl on the right holds a pink rose emphassizing her feminity. The painting is dated 1718 meaning Edward was about 5 years old, but the date may be off. Verelst depicts him as a little older. Hemat actually be Henry Harpur (1708-48) which fit the age depicted better. Edward wears a bright red frock jacket suit with white knee breches which were unusual. He has long hair. Wigs were common at the time, but not for boys. Casthrinr looks older, but was actually younger. She married Henry Gough MP 1st Bt. Edgbaston Hall. Ctherine wearsa blue and white dress with a low neckline.and very full skirt with a kind if apron overlay. .

John/Johannes Verelst was an Anglo-Dutch portrait painter. He was the third son of Herman Verelst who was (a portrait painter and Cecilia Fend. John was not very sucessful and is primarily known for a royal commission topaint four Indian chiefs known as the Four Indian Kings who came to London and visited Queen Anne (1710). We suspecvt that Verelsdt dressed them up. They were from England's former Dutch New York colony. At the time Indians still controlled most of the state. John Verelst is commonly confused with his uncle, John Verelst (1652-1679), but their dates are different. John was born in The Hague (1648). Herman Verelst and and Cecilia Fend had four sons asnd three dsaughters. Cecila was from Venice. Herman moved the family throughout Europe seeking better proseects for his paintings. The family spent time in Vienna, but fled the Ottoman invasion (1683). The family ended up in England. John had no academic training, but was trained by his father. John like other family members attemoted to establish himself as a portraitist in London, but with limited success. Two of his brothers, the more famous Simon and William worked as artists. His portraits are meduocre. He does a reasonable good job with faces, but posture and fabric folds are not quite right. He is primarily known for his Four Indian Kings portraits. We note one portrait of children--theHarpur children (figurev1). While the fabric folds and posture are not right, like folk artists he paints the garments in detail.

Created: 1:22 AM 2/9/2026
Last updated: 1:22 AM 2/9/2026