| |
|
1.
L’Amateur Chez Lui, Charles Alexander,
exhibited 1893-4
Gallery 53, first floor
This portrait of CDE Fortnum shows him in his study surrounded by
the sorts of objects he was so fond of collecting throughout his
life. Particularly interesting is the blue and white vessel he holds
which is on display in a case nearby in the the same gallery.
|
 |
| |
2.
Portrait of Sir Charles Frederick, Andrea Casali (1700-1784)
& Portrait of William Fermor, Anton Rafael Mengs (1728-1779)
Gallery 55, second
floor
Both of these portraits show young Englishmen on the Grand Tour and
both were painted in Rome. William Fermor (not shown) was from Oxfordshire
and went on the Grand Tour in his early twenties, as was the custom.
Both are shown as quite the English gentleman: impeccably dressed
and studious-looking. Sir Charles Frederick (pictured right) is even
shown seated next to a column and with the Pantheon outside his window
- presumably a manipulation of the truth in order to imbue the sitter
with a degree of learning and wisdom. In reality, the Grand Tour could
be a fairly riotous affair and an opportunity for the locals to make
some money out of the unsuspecting traveller. |
Portrait
of Sir Charles Frederick,
Andrea Casali (1700-1784) |
| |
|
|
3.
The Fitzwilliam Coin Cabinet
Gallery 55, second floor
This lavish cabinet designed to hold coins was collected on the
Grand Tour by the 2nd Marquis of Rockingham during a trip to Florence
in 1748 or 9. Like the marble specimen table, is it inlaid with
mosaic panels. The effect of water is achieved by bluish stones
in all four of the front panels - especially striking is the use
of a striped stone for a waterfall in the top right panel. An extremely
ornate object, this cabinet is like an elaborate temple to coins,
featuring columns, marbles, a gorgon-like head to disguise the key-hole
and decorative glass medals depicting the heads of Roman emperors.
|
 |
|
