Lot 223: HENRI GASCARS

HENRI GASCARS PARIS 1634-5 - 1701 ROME PORTRAIT OF FRANCES JENNINGS, LADY HAMILTON AND LATER DUCHESS OF TYRCONNEL (C.1649-1731) AS FLORA , ATTENDED BY PUTTI oil on canvas, oval 122 by 152.5 cm; 48 by 60 in.

J. N. Brewer, The Beauties of Ireland, London 1825, Vol. I, p. 241;
O. Miller, MS. Catalogue of pictures at Malahide Castle, 1953, no. 149

Commissioned by the sitter's husband, Richard Talbot, Lord Talbot de Malahide, 1st Earl and later Duke of Tyrconnel, Malahide Castle, County Dublin, Ireland;
by descent until sold, Christie's, Malahide Castle, 10th May 1976, lot 514 (bt. for £3,200);
Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 13th March 1985, lot 33 (bt. for £6,000);
with Lane Fine Art (as by Philippe Vignon)

Previously attributed to both Mignard and Vignon, the present painting is a portrait of Frances, the eldest daughter of Richard Jennings, and sister of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. A Maid of Honour to Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, she was considered to be one of the most strikingly beautiful women at the Restoration court. In about 1668 Frances married Sir George Hamilton, who was killed in 1676 at Zebernsteeg, and three years later she married Richard Talbot, 1st Earl and later Duke of Tyrconnel.

The present painting, which depicts Frances as the Roman Goddess Flora, recalls a description given of her by her brother-in-law Anthony Hamilton, who stated: "Miss Jennings... had a complexion more dazzlingly fair than has ever yet been seen... her face reminded one of the dawn, of some Goddess of the Spring, such as our friends, the poets, offer us in their brilliant compositions" ]i].

As a Catholic, and having spent ten years in France, it is not suprising that Frances, known as 'la belle Jennings' should have turned to Gascars for her portrait, and his ability to paint her in the French fashion. Another oval portrait of Frances by Gascar, originally in the collection of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu at Ditton Park, Buckinghamshire, was sold in London, Sotheby's, 9th July 1997, lot 21.

i. A. Hamilton, Memoirs of the Comte de Gramont, translated by Peter Quennell, London 1930, pp. 223-4