Joseph Leeson, later 1st Earl of Milltown (1701-83)
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ImageDate:
1982-06-08Citation:
Greater London Council. Catalogue of Paintings in 'Pompeo Batoni (1708-87) and his British Patrons'. The Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, Hampstead Lane, NW37JR, 8 June - 30 August 1982. Published by GLC, The County Hall, London SE1 7PB., p 27, no 1Download Item:
Description:
'Joseph Leeson, an important Irish collector and patron, is notable as being the subject of the earliest extant portrait by Batoni of a British sitter. Leeson was the heir to a prosperous Dublin brewing family. He took an active part in public life, sitting as MP for Rathcormick from 1743-56. He became Viscount Russborough in 1760, and three years later, on the occasion of his appointment to the Privy Council, Earl of Milltown. It is however, as a patron of the arts that he is best remembered. Leeson's patronage was to be an important factor in Batoni's early career. He not only later commissioned further portraits of his own family, but must also have been responsible for introducing Batoni to other Irish sitter of this period, notably 'Lord Charlemont' [see image cgjc0987], who is represented in one of the Reynolds caricatures in the Milltown gift and 'Robert Clements'[see image cgjc0978]. In 1750 Leeson returned to Rome with his son Joseph (1730-1801), later 2nd Earl of Milltown, who sat to Batoni in 1751 for a portrait that is today in the National Gallery of Ireland.' (Greater London Council Catalogue, 28)Role:
artistCulture:
IrishDimensions/Extent:
137 cm x 101.9 cmMaterial (Support):
canvasWork:
paintingRole:
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18th centuryMetadata
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