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Lot Essay
Hugh Douglas Hamilton was already a well-established portrait painter when he arrived in Rome around the age of forty; the Italian sojourn saw him prosper as a leading exponent of the emerging romanticism of late eighteenth-century portraiture. Plentiful commissions came from the Irish and English gentlemen gathered in Rome on ‘The Grand Tour’, although full-length portraits such as the present work were more unusual.
Before moving to Italy, Hamilton already knew the La Touche family well having portrayed various generations, including John David’s father, the Rt. Hon. David La Touche (see lot 192). John David was only sixteen when he departed for Italy, with his travelling companion. This anonymous friend kept a succinct diary of the places they visited and people they met. They arrived in Rome on 15 January 1789 and journeyed on to Naples arriving on 21 January. John David travelled alone to Sicily in March before rejoining his companion in Rome on 12 May. While in Rome, John David regularly encountered Hamilton, who introduced the young Irishman to other artists such as the sculptor Antonio Canova.
The diarist recorded that the sittings for the present portrait started on 19 May and continued until a few days before La Touche finally left Rome on 28 July. The decision to depict the ancient theatre of Taormina and Mount Etna in the background might be explained by John David’s recent visit to Sicily and may serve as an indication of the sitter’s learned and extensive travels. It is uncertain as to whether Hamilton himself ever visited Sicily; he may have referred to the widely available prints to portray Taormina and Mount Etna.
A copy of this portrait with differences by the Florentine artist, Anna Tonelli (circa 1763-1846) was sold in these Rooms, 10 July 1990, lot 90.
We are grateful to Neil Jeffares for his help with this catalogue entry.
Before moving to Italy, Hamilton already knew the La Touche family well having portrayed various generations, including John David’s father, the Rt. Hon. David La Touche (see lot 192). John David was only sixteen when he departed for Italy, with his travelling companion. This anonymous friend kept a succinct diary of the places they visited and people they met. They arrived in Rome on 15 January 1789 and journeyed on to Naples arriving on 21 January. John David travelled alone to Sicily in March before rejoining his companion in Rome on 12 May. While in Rome, John David regularly encountered Hamilton, who introduced the young Irishman to other artists such as the sculptor Antonio Canova.
The diarist recorded that the sittings for the present portrait started on 19 May and continued until a few days before La Touche finally left Rome on 28 July. The decision to depict the ancient theatre of Taormina and Mount Etna in the background might be explained by John David’s recent visit to Sicily and may serve as an indication of the sitter’s learned and extensive travels. It is uncertain as to whether Hamilton himself ever visited Sicily; he may have referred to the widely available prints to portray Taormina and Mount Etna.
A copy of this portrait with differences by the Florentine artist, Anna Tonelli (circa 1763-1846) was sold in these Rooms, 10 July 1990, lot 90.
We are grateful to Neil Jeffares for his help with this catalogue entry.