John Hamilton Mortimer, A.R.A. (1740-1779)

Details

John Hamilton Mortimer, A.R.A. (1740-1779)

Double Portrait of Thomas Somers Cocks and Richard Cocks of Castleditch, both small full-length, the former in a blue coat and waistcoat holding a black tricorn, the latter seated in a blue coat and waistcoat holding a manuscript, in a landscape

with later inscription on the reverse 'The RevD John. n. AD. 1731. ob. AD. 1793 & James n. AD 1734. Ob AD 1804. 3rd & 5th Sons of John Cocks of Castleditch. Zoffany. Pinxt.';
28 1/8 x 36in. (71.4 x 91.5cm.)

Provenance

by descent to Joseph Heriz-Smith, Esq; Slade Park, Devon, 1920
Hon. Esmond Harmsworth, later 2nd Viscount Rothermere (1898-1978), by 1930
and by descent

Literature

V. Manners & G. C. Williamson, John Zoffany, R.A. His Life and Works 1735-1810, London, 1920, pp. 160, 203, 275, illus. following p. 160
G. C. Williamson, English Conversation Pieces of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries, London, 1931, pp. 2, 23, pl. LXVII
C. H. Collins Baker, British Painting, London, 1933, p. 138
J. Sunderland, 'John Hamilton Mortimer: His Life and Works', Walpole Society, LII, 1986, no. 23, p. 128, fig. 36

Exhibited

London, Royal Academy, Winter Exhibition, 1891, no. 16 (as by Zoffany)

Lot Essay

Thomas Somers Cocks (1737-1796) was the seventh son and ninth child of John Cocks of Castleditch (see note to preceding lot). He was in partnership with his brother James, fourth son, in a capital banking house at Charing Cross and lived in Downing Street until his death in 1796. He married Ann, daughter of Alexander Thistlethwayte of Southwick Place, Hampshire.

Richard Cocks (1740-1821), eighth son and tenth child, was a barrister resident at Barrow, Worcestershire, where he died.

The present picture was correctly re-attributed to Mortimer by Sunderland (op. cit p. 128) and as an exterior scene provides a balance to its pendant the preceding lot. The treatment of the landscape shows the influence of Richard Wilson R.A. on Mortimer. As well as other examples of this influence (eg The West Gate of Pevensey Castle, Sussex, Yale Centre for British Art, New Haven), the two artists are recorded as having collaborated on works together (eg. Meleager and Atalanta, London, Tate Gallery).

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