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Josef Frans Nollekens - A Family Group in a Palladian Interior
Summary
This group of twelve adults and an infant boy has been identified in the past as the 1st Earl Tylney (d. 1750) with his family and friends. However, the room shown cannot be identified with any part of Wanstead House, Tylney’s home. Whatever their identity, the family Nollekens depicted is clearly very wealthy. Gathered around a tea-table, the people are surrounded by signs of their affluence and status. Their grand house is decorated in the latest style, with lavish use of stucco and gilt. The tea they sip would have been more expensive than gold, while the exquisite china service tells its own story. A history-painting hanging over the fireplace offers further evidence of their wealth, as such works were the most expensive to buy; it also comments on the family’s refinement and knowledge of artistic culture.
Joseph Nollekens was a famous British sculptor, born in London in 1737. He was the son of a Flemish painter and his mother was the daughter of a sculptor. Nollekens received his early education at the St Martin's Lane Academy, where he studied under the renowned sculptor Peter Scheemakers. Nollekens became famous for his portrait busts, which were highly sought after by the aristocracy of his day. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the likeness of his subjects. Some of his most famous works include busts of King George III, Queen Charlotte and Lord Nelson. Nollekens was also known for his eccentric personality and love of money. He was notoriously frugal and often haggled with his clients over the price of his work. Despite his reputation, Nollekens was highly respected in the art world and was elected a Royal Academician in 1772. Nollekens continued to work as a sculptor until his death in 1823. His legacy lives on through his many works, which can be found in museums and private collections around the world.
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