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G0417
Paintings: G0417
Title
Anthony Leigh
Technique
Oil on canvas
Subject
Character
Dominic : The Spanish Fryar; or The Double Discovery
Artist
Kneller, Godfrey Bt (Sir) [ Copy after ]
Dimensions
Height: 125.7cm
Width: 100.3cm
Width: 100.3cm
Inscription/signature
"Anthony Leigh"
Provenance
Thomas Harris; Harris sale, Robins 12 July 1819 (48) (?); Charles Mathews
Other number
Mathews 107
RW/CKA 14
RW/CKA 14
Exhibition history
1833 London, Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street, "Mr Mathews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits" (107)
Related works
Original NPG 1280, oil on canvas 231.8 x 142.2 s. & d: 1689 (full-length, holding box in left hand) prov: Earl of Dorset; Earl of Godolphin; Godolphin sale, Christie's ? 1803 (63); Thomas Harris; Harris sale, Robins 12 July 1819 (48); Mrs Charles James Wylie
Engraving history
John Smith sold J. Smith, mezzotint 39.7 x 24.8 [see PM0107]
In Act II, scene 3, "a Chamber with table and wine set out," Father Dominic, the Spanish Friar, is offered money by Lorenzo, who claims that it is the fulfillment of a vow to St Dominic, whose spirit protected him in a recent battle. In fact, Lorenzo succeeeds in bribing Father Dominic to get him into the presence of Elvira, the wife of Gomez, whom he loves. The priest is her confessor. Father Dominic wears a brown habit, and presumably fingers Lorenzo's bribe in the silver box held in his left hand.
The NPG version is a picture of much higher quality than G0417, which may be by Ranelagh Barret. This copy was mentioned by Vertue in his notebooks, 1746. (“Vertue Notebooks”, Walpole Society [1947], 22: 131). The Harris sale catalogue dates the picture 1689, suggesting that it was the signed and dated version now in the NPG. Dryden's comedy was first performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre on 8 March 1680.
The NPG version is a picture of much higher quality than G0417, which may be by Ranelagh Barret. This copy was mentioned by Vertue in his notebooks, 1746. (“Vertue Notebooks”, Walpole Society [1947], 22: 131). The Harris sale catalogue dates the picture 1689, suggesting that it was the signed and dated version now in the NPG. Dryden's comedy was first performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre on 8 March 1680.
