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, English, 1723-1792
Title
Caricature of Sir William Lowther and Joseph Leeson, later Ist Earl of Milltown
Date1751
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
75 x 53 cm
Credit LineMilltown Gift, 1902
Object numberNGI.735
Label TextSir William Lowther (1727-1756) of Lowther Hall, Lancashire, was a companion of Joseph Leeson (1711-1783) in Rome. Lowther was more bon viveur than great intellect, and in this picture he appropriately holds a shuttlecock in his hand. Leeson closely examines some antiquity with a viewing glass, as if to highlight his great knowledge. Reynolds mocks Leeson’s pretensions by caricaturing his corpulent figure and protruding nose. Reynolds only executed such caricatures when he was a young artist, later believing that they corrupted the taste of a portrait painter.