Artwork
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon (1743 - 1827)
Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon (1743 - 1827) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pompeo Batoni. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Pompeo Batoni’s 1764 oil portrait presents Alexander Gordon, the fourth Duke of Gordon, in a naturalistic setting. Executed during the late Rococo era, the work is part of the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings and exemplifies Batoni’s skill in rendering aristocratic sitters with a blend of portraiture and landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The duke is shown in an outdoor hunting tableau, dressed in a red coat, brown breeches and a black hat, while holding a long gun. A brown horse stands behind him and three dogs lie at his feet, underscoring the aristocratic pastime of sport and the status associated with landownership.
Technique & Style
Batoni employs a balanced composition that leads the eye from the figure to the surrounding landscape, using subtle tonal shifts to create depth. The palette of reds, browns and blues, together with careful modeling of light on fabric and animal fur, reflects the artist’s refined handling of oil paint.
History & Provenance
The portrait was painted while Batoni was at the height of his reputation for Grand Tour commissions, catering to British and Anglo‑Irish patrons. It later entered the collection of the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on display as a representative example of 18th‑century portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (25 January 1708 – 4 February 1787) was an Italian painter who displayed a solid technical knowledge in his portrait work and in his numerous allegorical and mythological pictures.
- Benjamin Bond Hopkins
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