Summary
Jonathan Richardson was one of the leading portrait painters of early eighteenth century England, as well as an important art theorist. The diplomat and poet, Matthew Prior (1664-1721), the subject of this drawing, regarded him highly. In 1720 Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) wrote to Prior applying for his assistance in the procurement of a portrait of the 1st Earl of Oxford that he hoped either Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) or Michael Dahl (?1659-1743) would paint. 'Richardson', replied Prior, ' … I take to be a better painter than any named in your letter' (cited in Carol Gibson-Wood 2000, p.65).
The basis of Prior's judgement was the portrait Richardson had painted of him in 1718 (Welbeck Abbey), commissioned by Edward Harley, later 2nd Earl of Oxford (1689-1741). Harley, a celebrated patron of the arts and of men of learning, was a close friend of Prior's and at the time, Prior's diplomatic career being in eclipse, was assisting him financially… (read more)
Other works of art you may be interested in
