Gainsborough masterpiece from Ickworth Estate to go on display at major New York exhibition

A painting from the National Trust’s Ickworth Estate has travelled from Suffolk to the United States of America and the bright lights of New York to feature in a new major art exhibition. 

An oil portrait of Augustus Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol (1724-1779), painted by famous artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788)  has been transported to The Frick Collection to feature in an exhibition dedicated to the Suffolk artist.

“Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture” is The Frick Collection’s first exhibition dedicated to Thomas Gainsborough, and the first ever exhibition devoted to the artist held in New York.

The portrait of the 3rd Earl will be joining over two dozen other  Gainsborough paintings from across North America and the United Kingdom, representing his forty-year career.

 Thomas Gainsborough was born in nearby Sudbury and is widely thought of as one of the most important artists of the second  half of the 18th century.

A prolific portrait painter, he is also known for his landscapes, which it is said he enjoyed painting more and was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts art institution in London.

Ickworth Estate is home to one of the finest collections of art in the National Trust consisting almost entirely of portraits, with paintings by Titian, Velazquez, Hogarth and Vigee-Leburn on display. 

The portrait by Gainsborough is one of the largest in the collection at 2.8m high and 1.9m wide including its frame.

It  shows Augustus Hervey in his naval uniform following the taking of Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba, in 1762, during the Seven Years’ War.

It was painted several years later in 1767-68 alluding to this being regarded by the 3rd Earl as the most distinguished action  of his naval career.

Gainsborough is known for paintings of ladies and gentlemen in the fashion of the day so this portrait in military dress is more unusual. 

Commodore Augustus Hervey, later Vice-Admiral, and 3rd Earl of Bristol, was also MP for Bury St Edmunds between 1757 and  1763, and then again between 1768 and 1775, until his brother the 2nd Earl died and Augustus succeeded the earldom.

His time as the Earl of Bristol was short and he died without a legitimate heir just four years later in 1779.

He was succeeded by his younger  brother Frederick, who was Bishop of Derry becoming known as the Earl-Bishop and whose vision of Ickworth is what we see today.

The Earl-Bishop wanted Ickworth to house great art and to be a place that people, who otherwise didn’t have the funds to go on Grand  Tours to Italy and Greece, could come to view and study masterpieces.

So, it is entirely fitting that this painting has travelled thousands of miles to be viewed by new audiences.  

Chloe Woodrow, the National Trust property curator for Ickworth Estate, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see Gainsborough’s portrait of Commodore Augustus Hervey embarking on a transatlantic journey to The Frick Collection in New York.

“Gainsborough isn’t usually associated with naval portraiture, and this painting captures that perfectly – despite the uniform, ships and all the trappings of life at sea, Hervey is presented first and foremost as a charming, self-assured gentleman.

Painted after his seafaring days were over, the portrait playfully alludes to the moment Hervey considered his greatest naval triumph: the capture of Morro  Castle in 1762. 

“Following careful conservation, it feels wonderfully fitting to see him setting sail once again, this time to share his story with an international audience and to be exhibited in such a prestigious setting.”

Before heading off, the painting had some minor conservation work, carried out by Cambridge conservator company Saltmarsh  Paintings Conservation to make sure it was looking its best and safe to travel.  

Polly Saltmarsh, from Saltmarsh Paintings Conservation, prepped the painting by giving it a light surface clean to remove a build-up of dust and her colleague Stephanie Carlton, Frame Conservator, carried out more extensive conservation work to the decorative surface of the gilt wood frame and made sure the painting was secure and ready for the long journey to New York

Polly said: “The painting is in very good condition for its age and size, Gainsborough’s original brush work is  well preserved, and it is a star item. I’m sure it will be a highlight and deserves its place in The Frick Collection’s exhibition.”

“Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture” is taking place at The Frick Collection from February 12 until late May after which the painting will make its way back to Ickworth Estate where visitors will be able to see it back on display in the house.