The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Dutton Family in the Drawing Room of Sherborne Park, Gloucestershire

oil on canvasJohann Zoffany (German, 1733–1810)/c. 1772

Description

This type of picture, known as a conversation piece, was invented in England in the 1700s and popular for the informal way it represented families. A father and daughter, mother and son, are strategizing over the next hand in a game of cards. The family recently lost a loved one, so the parents are dressed in full mourning (black clothing), and the siblings in lesser mourning (mauve, white, and gray).

Provenance

Commissioned by James Lenox Dutton (1712-1776), Sherborne Park, Gloucestershire, and by descent to his son; James Dutton, 1st Baron Sherborne (1744-1820), and thence by descent to James Huntly Dutton, 6th Baron Sherborne (1873-1949); (Christie's London, June 28, 1929 (lot 72), where acquired for 7000 gns by Daniel Haddock Farr); (with Daniel Haddock Farr (1876-1976), dealer, New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA); Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted (1882-1948), London, and thence by descent to Peter Samuel, 4th Viscount Bearsted (1911-1996); The Descendants of Peter Samuel, 4th Viscount Bearsted; (Sotheby's London, June 14, 2001 (lot 16), where acquired by European Private Collection); European Private Collection; (Christie's Private Sale to the Cleveland Museum of Art)

Dimensions

101.5 × 127 cm

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Movement / Period

European Painting and Sculpture

Accession No

2023.122

Official Citations

[The Cleveland Museum of Art Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Johann Zoffany (German, 1733–1810)

European Painting and Sculpture • England • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

Continuous Discovery