Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Winchester

Maker William Hogarth (British, 1697-1764)

SitterSitter: Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Winchester (British, 1676 - 1761)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1742

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 23 5/8 × 18 5/8 in. (60 × 47.3 cm.) frame: 31 1/2 × 27 1/4 in. (80 × 69.2 cm.)

DescriptionSeated full-length in an interior. Shown sitting in red velvet covered armchair at an elaborately carved and gilded desk. Proper left hand rests on the arm of the chair, proper right hand rests on desk and holds black bishop's hat. Dressed in black and white full robes. Long powdered wig. Open window to left of painting shows city with flag on top of buliding in distance. Large vertical columns rise in center of composition behind figure. Green curtain is to the right.

SignedSignature; Date W. H. pinxt 174(2)

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextAs bishop of Winchester and prelate of the Order of the Garter, Bishop Hoadly ranked second in precedence among the English bishops. In this small picture, he wears the prelate’s robes, with the arms of St. George embroidered on the shoulder. To enhance his sitter’s impressiveness, Hogarth wraps the dark blue mantle around Hoadly’s arm, thereby displaying the white satin of its lining and revealing a cluster of large gold tassels. The setting – a grandiose space with massive columns and a distant prospect of Windsor Castle – is also designed to impress.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number56.17