Country House Collections at Slane Castle 13
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&14
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October 2013
267
746
RUPERT BARBER (FL. 1736-1772)
Portrait of Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Dean of St. Patricks, head and shoulders, in profile
Oil on canvas, 50 x 40cm
Barber trained as a miniature painter in enamel. Portraits of Swift in pastel by him are known (see National Gallery no. 7060, and National Portrait
Gallery, London). Strickland records that he also painted in oils. Usually it is said his portraits of Swift are derived from Bindon. However, as Barber
knew Swift as an old man, his mother the poetess being both a friend and a
protégé
of the Dean’s it is likely that the present lot is a study from life.
The re-discovery of this remarkable portrait contributes to our knowledge of its extraordinary sitter.
Provenance: Bellingham Collection, Co. Louth
€6,000 - 10,000
