This early 18th-century English School portrait depicts Thomas Stanley wearing a striking red velvet suit, white cravat and powdered periwig. Fashionable, yet elegantly refined. On the reverse, a partially legible label refers to the Wrightington Estate, where the portrait was hung.
In the top left, an inscription refers to Meliora Gomeldon, who became Thomas’ wife in 1710, having been married previously to James Poole. It’s interesting that during her first marriage, she sat for John Vandervaart (1653-1727) and the resulting portrait is inscribed in a similar way to ours. It refers to both marriages, so it’s presumably a later inscription, added by descendants. You may notice that country house portrait collections often bear later inscriptions, following a cataloguing exercise.
Thomas was born in 1687 in the sleepy Lancastrian village of St Michael on Wyre. Following his marriage to Meliora, the pair had two children, Meliora and Richard. Their daughter married William Dicconson of Wrightington, which explains the connection with the Wrightington Estate.
Stylistically, it’s influenced by the oeuvre of popular Swedish portrait painter, Michael Dahl (1659-1743), who worked extensively in England.
Held in a period frame, which is probably original.
Medium
Oil on canvas
Overall size
30½” x 36” / 78cm x 91cm
Year of creation
c. 1715
Labels & Inscriptions
Inscribed in the top left.
Provenance
Meliora Dicconson of Wrightington / Private collection, USA.
Conservation
Professionally conserved, including careful cleaning to reveal the painting’s true colouring and remove accumulated surface grime that can be harmful over time. The paint layer is stable.
Condition
Very presentable for its age. Canvas relined. Faint stretcher marks. Craquelure, as one would expect. One patched repair. Frame showing some minor marks and wear consistent with age and use.
Our reference
BRV2189
