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, English, 1723-1792
Title
Portrait of Rt Hon. John Hely-Hutchinson (1724-1794), Provost of Trinity College, Dublin
Date1778
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
128.8 x 99.1 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1979 (Shaw Fund)
Object numberNGI.4326
ProvenanceEarl of Donoughmore; Christie's, London, 10 June 1899, where purchased by Agnew's for 1250 gs; Purchased, Christie's, London, 22 June 1979, lot no.148 Label TextHely Hutchinson held the post of provost (head) of Trinity College Dublin for 20 years from 1774. His appointment was controversial, with many Fellows of the university protesting that he was unqualified for the job. His status as a married layman was another point of contention. A series of satirical articles about the new provost were published as a collection called Pranceriana in 1775. Reynolds depicted Hely Hutchinson looking austere in his provost’s robes. He also painted a portrait of the sitter’s wife Christiana, Baroness Donoughmore in 1766.