A Framed Portrait of Thomas Williams 1755
By Thomas Hudson (1701-1799) British.
Half length, wearing a brown Coat, Blue and gold Waistcoat and a white Lace Cravat.
Oil on canvas
75 x 62cm
Relined. Before relining the old canvas was signed and dated: "Thos. Williams Esq. Thos. Hudson. Pinxit 1755"
A photograph of this painting and of the inscription has been lodged at the Witt Library, Courtauld Institute, London.
Thomas Hudson (1701–1779)was born in Devon, and gained renown as a portrait painter, acquiring the patronage of London society during the 1740s and 1750s. He trained under the successful portrait painter Jonathan Richardson, later marrying his daughter.
Having established his own portrait-painting practice, Hudson became increasingly fashionable. As the number of commissions grew, he employed drapery painters to assist him. His many pupils included Joshua Reynolds and Joseph Wright of Derby.
Prov: Old Hall Gallery, Iden, Rhye, Sussex, England
The Ken Bernard Smith Collection, Sydney
Private collection.