Henry Pelham, American, 1749-1806
Title: Portrait of Master Lewis Farley Johnston
Date: 1779
Medium: Watercolour on ivory miniature
Dimensions:
4.7 x 3.8 cm
Signed: lower right: H P/1779
Credit Line: Bequeathed, 2004
Object Number: NGI.19615
DescriptionBoston-born Henry Pelham was the son of a mezzotint engraver, Peter Pelham (1697-1751) and his third wife Mary Singleton Copley. His half-brother, John Singleton Copley (1738-1815), the distinguished American artist, taught Henry the art of miniature painting. Around 1778 he visited his maternal relatives in County Clare. While based in Ireland he worked as a cartographer and painted miniature portraits of people connected with the O’Briens, Barons of Inchiquin, of Dromoland Castle. This portrait depicts an O’Brien kinsman, Master Lewis Farley Johnston, who later became a judge on the island of Trinidad.
ProvenanceBaron Inchiqiun, Dromoland, County Clare; bequeathed, Private Collection, December 2004
Exhibition History18th, 19th and 20th Century Irish Paintings, Gorry Gallery, Dublin, 1997
Taking Stock: Acquisitions 2000-2010, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 13 March 2010 - 25 July 2010
Taking Stock: Acquisitions 2000-2010, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, 13 March 2010 - 25 July 2010
Inscriptionon sticker (on verso of miniature frame): MASTER LEWIS FARLEY JOHNSTON FROM DROMOLAND CASTLE, LORD INCHIQUIN