"The Conversation"
from Hogarth's London: Pictures of the Manners of the 18th Century
by Henry B. Wheatley
(Constable & Co, Ltd, London, 1909)
Sheet size: 6 1/8 x 5 inches
(nice velvety photo engraving or photogravure)
Condition: Excellent—tiny faint fox marks in top margin, not noticeable
A very interesting picture, containing the two heads of the Fox family and others styled 'A Conversation,' belonging to the Earl of Ilchester, is at Melbury House, Dorchester. Starting from the left, Mr. Villemain, a clergyman in black gown and bands, is seen standing upon a chair, rather insecurely placed, with a telescope to his eye; next, sitting at a table, is Stephen, first Earl of Ilchester, then next to him is Henry, first Lord Holland, with a plan of a building in his hands. John, first Lord Hervey, points to the plan, both standing. To the right of these two is Charles, second Duke of Marlborough (died 1758), sitting, and to the extreme right is the standing figure of the Right Hon. Thomas Winnington. The scene is a terrace by the side of a river with a large gate at the back. Hogarth painted a separate portrait of Lord Holland, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy Winter Exhibition, 1908, by Mary Countess of Ilchester. Hogarth told the subject that he would paint him a good portrait. Hogarth, in mentioning his appointment in 1757 to the office of Serjeant Painter to the King, wrote in his autobiography that, as he had to paint some portraits of the royal family, the position might be worth to him two hundred per annum.
