James Caulfeild, fourth Viscount Charlemont (Later first Earl of Charlemont)
Date:
between 1753 and 1756
Materials & Techniques:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
38 1/2 x 29 inches (97.8 x 73.7 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1974.3.26
Gallery Label:
Pompeo Batoni was one of the most popular Italian artists of the eighteenth century, and for many aristocratic Grand Tourists, having one’s portrait painted by Batoni was an essential part of a visit to Rome. In 1746, at age eighteen, the Dublin-born Charlemont embarked on an extensive Grand Tour that took him not only to Italy but to Greece and Asia Minor over a period of eight years. He commissioned this half-length portrait from Batoni as well as a full-length version (now lost). This is the earliest of Batoni’s Grand Tour portraits to include a view of the Roman Colosseum, setting a pattern that was to become popular with later sitters. Charlemont was one of the great art patrons of the age, as well as a leading politician who pushed for the peaceful emancipation of Ireland from direct English rule.\n\n Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016