Lot Essay
A copy of the engraving is attached to the backboard.
A variant of this portrait in oils, 29¼ x 24½in., with the sitter's hair less unkempt and sky behind was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 6 December 1980, lot 125, illustrated, and a closer version in pastel, 24½ x 17 1/8in., at Christie's, 10 July 1984, lot 153, illustrated. One of these was probably the work exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1802. A much larger version in oils, three-quarter-length, 55¼ x 44in., signed and dated 1808 and showing the sitter looking rather older, was sold in these Rooms on 27 June 1980, lot 134, illustrated colour.
Charles James Fox, 1749-1806, was the son of Henry Fox, later Lord Holland, and Lady Caroline Georgina, daughter of the 2nd Duke of Richmond, grandson of Charles II. He was an M.P. from 1768 and joined Edmund Burke in opposing the American war and attacking Lord North. He retained his liberal views but his influence was somewhat undermined by the vehemence of his language. At the time of this pastel, about 1802, he was working on his History of the Revolution of 1688.
A variant of this portrait in oils, 29¼ x 24½in., with the sitter's hair less unkempt and sky behind was sold at Sotheby's, New York, 6 December 1980, lot 125, illustrated, and a closer version in pastel, 24½ x 17 1/8in., at Christie's, 10 July 1984, lot 153, illustrated. One of these was probably the work exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1802. A much larger version in oils, three-quarter-length, 55¼ x 44in., signed and dated 1808 and showing the sitter looking rather older, was sold in these Rooms on 27 June 1980, lot 134, illustrated colour.
Charles James Fox, 1749-1806, was the son of Henry Fox, later Lord Holland, and Lady Caroline Georgina, daughter of the 2nd Duke of Richmond, grandson of Charles II. He was an M.P. from 1768 and joined Edmund Burke in opposing the American war and attacking Lord North. He retained his liberal views but his influence was somewhat undermined by the vehemence of his language. At the time of this pastel, about 1802, he was working on his History of the Revolution of 1688.