Portrait of a Gentleman in a Red Brocade Coat (possibly Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester)
Painting on canvas • Circle of Andrea Casali or manner of Jonathan Richardson the Elder; possibly after a missing portrait by a Roman-based artist during the Grand Tour period.
Style & Movement
Mid-18th Century Baroque / Portraiture / Early Neoclassical influence
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, with likely wet-on-wet technique for the white lace jabot and detailed glazing for the red and gold damask textures.
Creation Period
Circa 1740-1760
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 76 x 63 cm (30 x 25 inches); Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A half-length portrait of a nobleman or gentleman with a powdered wig, facing slightly three-quarters right. He wears an elaborate red silk brocade coat with gold thread embroidery, a white lace jabot, and ruffles. The dark, atmospheric background contrasts with the high-status attire, signifying wealth and social station.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The canvas appears to have historical craquelure and some surface grime/yellowed varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $8,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $6,000 USD
Provenance History
The frame features an identification plaque at the bottom center. Based on the style, it likely originated from a British or continental European country house collection. The subject may have been a participant in the Grand Tour.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the peak of mid-18th-century aristocratic portraiture and the importance of textile displays as indicators of wealth. It serves as a study in the intersection between British patronage and Continental artistic styles.
Notable Features
Includes an identification plaque on the frame. The rendering of the brocade fabric is of high quality, suggesting a specialist drapery painter or a very skilled workshop assistant.
Condition Issues
Visible losses and chipping on the gilded frame, particularly at the corners and bottom edge. The painting surface shows signs of aged varnish (yellowing) and minor paint surface abrasion near the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove oxidized varnish and surface dirt. Stabilization of the frame's gesso and regilding of lost sections. Controlled humidity and UV-protective glazing are recommended.