Lot 164: f - FRANCOIS-XAVIER FABRE 1766-1837

THE PROPERTY OF A DECEASED ESTATE

PORTRAIT OF HENRY RICHARD VASSALL FOX, 3RD BARON HOLLAND

measurements note
100 by 75 cm., 39½ by 29½ in.

Half length, seated, wearing a blue coat and a yellow waistcoat

signed l.l.:FX. Fabre.Florentine / 1795

oil on canvas

PROVENANCE

Painted for Lord Holland's guardians, the Rt. Hon. Charles James Fox and Edward Moore and thence by descent

NOTE

The sitter was the son of Stephen Fox, 2nd Baron Holland, and his wife, Lady Mary Fitzpatrick. Charles James Fox was his uncle, and was a formative influence on his life.

He was educated at Eton and Christ Church College, Oxford. After his education he made an extensive Grand Tour through Europe, and in Naples he met Elizabeth Vassall, the wife of Sir Godfrey Webster. Sir Godfrey divorced his wife in 1797 and she and Holland were married the same year. Together with his wife he established Holland House, Kensington, as one of the foremost centres of politcal and literary society in Europe. Holland has a distinguished political career, and served as a Privy Coucillor, and as Lord Privy Seal. He was a natural reformer, and was the first Member of the Lords to raise the issue reconsidering whether Catholics should be allowed to sit in Parliament. He also strongly supported the abolition of slavery.

The present painting is dated 1795, and was painted at a time when he was staying in Florence with Elizabeth Vassall. The cameo ring, prominently displayed on his finger, may be an artistic allusion to the sitter's desire to marry. Fabre's receipts account for six portraits of Lord Holland, one of which, a three-quarter lenght, was in the Journal Room at Holland House. An autograph version of this portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery.