Joshua Reynolds, English, 1723-1792
Title: Caricature of Sir Thomas Kennedy, James Caulfield, Viscount Charlemont, the Hon. John Ward and Richard Phelps
Date: 1751
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
63 x 52 cm
Credit Line: Milltown Gift, 1902
Object Number: NGI.737
Label TextThese three figures appear in Reynolds’ parody (NGI.734) of Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’ fresco, in the place of Pythagoras’s musical students. Viscount Charlemont, the most important figure, plays recorder at the centre, flanked by Sir Thomas Kennedy on transverse flute and Richard Phelps, a guide to rich tourists, on cello. John Ward sings aloud, although it is unclear what they might actually be performing. Reynolds denotes each of their origins by placing a Saint Andrew’s cross, shamrock, Saint George’s cross, and leek in their hats.

This website uses cookies

We use optional cookies to enhance your user experience and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.

Details

About Cookies

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site. For all other types of cookies we need your permission. This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website. Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy. Please state your consent ID and date when you contact us regarding your consent.

Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
JSESSIONIDeMuseumUser SessionSessionHTTP

Statistics Cookies

Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

NameProviderPurposeExpiryType
_gaGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.2 yearsJavaScript
_gidGoogle Tag ManagerRegisters a unique ID that is used to generate statistical data on how the visitor uses the website.1 dayJavaScript