Oil painting George Holmes
Object number
LDSAL312.1
Artist/Designer/Maker
van Bleek, R - Artist
Production date
c. 1730-35
Material
oil paint
canvas (paint canvas)
canvas (paint canvas)
Technique
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Height: 535mm
Width: 477mm
Width: 477mm
Content description
Holmes is depicted bust-length, wearing a blue coat, white cravat and white knotted ‘campaign wig’. The figure is turned to the right, but the plump ruddy-coloured head almost faces the spectator. The brush strokes are free, ‘spiritually painted’ in the words of Scharf, and the background is dark.
Inscriptions
Inscription content
Sir Martin Folkes Pres SA
References
Reference (free text)
Society of Antiquaries, Minutes Vol. x, 140.
Oil on canvas portrait of George Holmes, Esq., F.S.A (1661/2-1749), in ebonised entablature frame.
George Holmes (1661/2−1749) was born in Skipton and, about 1691, was appointed clerk to William Petyt, Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, also born in Skipton. He worked there for over fifty years serving as Deputy Keeper from 1707 and Keeper from 1731 until his death. He was a member of the early Society of Antiquaries, which met at the Young Devil Tavern in 1708, and a Fellow of the Royal Society from 1741. His chief historical work was the preparation of the second edition of Rymer’s Foedera (1727−30). He died in 1749 aged 87.
He was held in high regard in antiquarian circles for his knowledge of English history, and given the rare honour by the Society of having George Vertue engrave a portrait in his memory in 1749.
He was held in high regard in antiquarian circles for his knowledge of English history, and given the rare honour by the Society of having George Vertue engrave a portrait in his memory in 1749.