Thomas Gainsborough RA FSRA (English, 1727-1788) "Portrait Of John Durrant" Oil On Canvas, C. 1785

Thomas Gainsborough RA FSRA (English, 1727 - 1788). "Portrait of John Durrant" oil painting on canvas depicting a head-and-shoulder portrait of the titled gentleman facing right with his head turned slightly to face the viewer. The sitter is presented wearing a powdered white wig with a dark green jacket, white shirt and cravat. The sitter has been painted against a dark background. This particular portrait within an oval, which can be seen at each corner and was likely framed within an oval slip frame originally. John Durrant is presented against against a dark background, with an oval center. Artist and title denoted alongside provenances affixed to the verso.
Additionally a signature of Gainsborough, along with the title and sitter, John Durrant, Esq. The Circus, Bath can be seen on verso.

The painting is displayed in a magnificent gilt frame with deep relief floral flourishes, foliate stems, and textural borders.

The exact lineage of the sitter has been debated. One scholar, E. Waterhouse, having suggested the sitter as possibly the son of Reverend Josiah Durant (d. 1764), whom had been born circa 1733 "and succeeded his father to the living of Hagley, Worcestershire." While other scholarship believes the age of the sitter to not match up exactly, suggesting the "sitter may be John, born 2 November 1755 at Studham, Bedfordshire, son of John Durrant and his wife Mary Crawley, or John, born 20 July 1761 at North Tawton, Devon, son of Roger Durant and his wife Susannah Hill (IGI; Waterhouse Archive, PMC)."

Provenance: "with William Dyer, London, in 1928; sold to Ehrich Galleries, New York, before July 1928; their sale, American Art Association, New York, 20 November 1931 (39) repr. bt Sidney Leger ($1100); Hohn Durrant, The Circus, Bath; James Joseph Haverty (1858-1939), Atlanta; Charles Loridan; Mr and Mrs Walter C. Hill; ... ; Christie's New York, 25 March 1983 (66) [as School of Gainsborough] ($1870)".
Estate of a gentleman, NYC.

Exhibited: "Montgomery 1955 (4)"

Literature: Waterhouse 1953a, pg. 34.

Dimensions:
29 1/2" H x 25" L, sight
38" H x 32 1/2" L, frame

About the Artist:
Thomas Gainsborough is known as being one of England's most important artists during the 18th century.
Gainsborough was an English artist, with a focus on painting, along with print-making. He is best known for his highly realistic paintings depicting portraits in addition to landscapes. Notably, Gainsborough was a founding member of England's Royal Academy.

Additional hi-res photos can be found at www.blackrockgalleries.com

Presents well overall. With craquelure commensurate with age, along with minor wear to the frame.