DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1041#0246
History of the Society of Dilettanti ax 3
These two well-known groups are among the most
remarkable works of England's great portrait-
painter, being characterized not only by skilful
grouping, but by the most vivacious and character-
istic portraiture. In each group seven members of
the Dilettanti are represented seated at the festive
board, and to the joviality of the scene are added
the distinctive signs of connoisseurship in virtu.
In one group the members represented are Sir
Watkin Williams-Wynn, Bart., Mr. Smyth of
Heath (elected in 177^), Sir John Taylor, Bart., Mr.
W. Spencer-Stanhope, Mr. Stephen Payne-Gallwey,
Mr. Richard Thompson (elected in 1776), and
Sir William Hamilton, K.B. (elected in 1777). Sir
William Hamilton is seated at the table with a
Greek vase and open volume, and the others are
grouped round him drinking wine. In the other
group appear the Earl of Seaforth (elected in 1741),
Mr. Crowle and Mr. Thomas Dundas (elected in 1764),
Sir Joseph Banks, the Marquess of Carmarthen, the
Hon. Charles Greville, and Lord Mulgrave (all elected
in 1774 or the following year). The charge to each
of these gentlemen was £15 each, as appears from an
application made in January, 1790, by Mr. Thomas
Grenville, on behalf of Lady Wynn, for leave to have
a copy made of the portrait of the late Sir Watkin
Williams-Wynn in the group, which was granted,
but the painter was ordered not to remove the
group till he was ready to begin his copy, or
keep it after the copy was finished, because it
cost 245- guineas. On March 2, 1777, it was
ordered
' That the Portraits belonging to the Society be cleaned and the
Frames new gilt, and that Sr J. Reynolds be desired to appoint
a proper Person or Persons to do the same.'
These two well-known groups are among the most
remarkable works of England's great portrait-
painter, being characterized not only by skilful
grouping, but by the most vivacious and character-
istic portraiture. In each group seven members of
the Dilettanti are represented seated at the festive
board, and to the joviality of the scene are added
the distinctive signs of connoisseurship in virtu.
In one group the members represented are Sir
Watkin Williams-Wynn, Bart., Mr. Smyth of
Heath (elected in 177^), Sir John Taylor, Bart., Mr.
W. Spencer-Stanhope, Mr. Stephen Payne-Gallwey,
Mr. Richard Thompson (elected in 1776), and
Sir William Hamilton, K.B. (elected in 1777). Sir
William Hamilton is seated at the table with a
Greek vase and open volume, and the others are
grouped round him drinking wine. In the other
group appear the Earl of Seaforth (elected in 1741),
Mr. Crowle and Mr. Thomas Dundas (elected in 1764),
Sir Joseph Banks, the Marquess of Carmarthen, the
Hon. Charles Greville, and Lord Mulgrave (all elected
in 1774 or the following year). The charge to each
of these gentlemen was £15 each, as appears from an
application made in January, 1790, by Mr. Thomas
Grenville, on behalf of Lady Wynn, for leave to have
a copy made of the portrait of the late Sir Watkin
Williams-Wynn in the group, which was granted,
but the painter was ordered not to remove the
group till he was ready to begin his copy, or
keep it after the copy was finished, because it
cost 245- guineas. On March 2, 1777, it was
ordered
' That the Portraits belonging to the Society be cleaned and the
Frames new gilt, and that Sr J. Reynolds be desired to appoint
a proper Person or Persons to do the same.'