Francis Hayman; Grosvenor Bedford

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Francis Hayman; Grosvenor Bedford

by Francis Hayman
oil on canvas, circa 1748-1750
28 1/4 in. x 36 in. (718 mm x 914 mm)
Purchased, 1866
Primary Collection
NPG 217

On display in Room 9 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • Francis Hayman (circa 1707-1776), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 15 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits. Identify

This portraitback to top

In this double portrait, Hayman shows himself with his palette while painting the portrait of one of his earliest and most constant patrons, Grosvenor Bedford who sits next to him. The chair that Hayman leans against appears in several other of his conversation paintings and is therefore believed to have been his own. More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

Linked publicationsback to top

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  • Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 137, 200
  • Rideal, Liz, Insights: Self-portraits, 2005, p. 47 Read entry

    Hayman gives us an intimate view both of his studio and of his business practice as he talks his patron Grosvenor Bedford through a new painting on the easel. Although ostensibly a private scene, there is a suspiciously self-conscious air about both the elegantly dressed pair and the unnaturally neat surroundings of the artist’s studio. Hayman’s relaxed conversation pieces were a considerable influence of the early work of Thomas Gainsborough.

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 290
  • Simon, Robin, The portrait in Britain and America : with a biographical dictionary of portrait painters, 1680-1914, 1987, p. title page verso

Events of 1748back to top

Current affairs

In his role as magistrate, Henry Fielding organises the forerunner of the Bow Street Runners, effectively London's first police force.
Fire in the City of London causes over a million pounds worth of damage.

Art and science

Tobias Smollett publishes The Adventures of Roderick Random.
Samuel Richardson publishes Clarissa; the longest novel in the English language.
Philosopher David Hume publishes An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.
Physician John Fothergill's pamphlet Account of the Sore Throat attended with Ulcers contains the first description of diphtheria.



International

Ancient Roman city of Pompeii is rediscovered near Naples, further fuelling a resurgence of interest in the antique among British collectors such as the diplomat Sir William Hamilton.
Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle ends the War of the Austrian Succession.
French writer Montesquieu anonymously publishes his influential treatise on political theory L'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws).

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