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'Gentleman Commoners'

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There is 1 Imposter among us

Portrait of Francis Greville, Lord Brooke - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Francis Greville, Lord Brooke - Isaac Whood

Francis Greville, Lord Brooke, would later become Earl Brooke of Warwick Castle and then Earl of Warwick. Warwick Castle is depicted in the background of his portrait. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1728 to 1734. He was the first cousin once removed of Fulke Greville, another subject of the set.

Portrait of Sir Robert Burdett, 4th Bt - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Sir Robert Burdett, 4th Bt - Isaac Whood

Sir Robert Burdett is one of only four of the gentleman commoners wearing powdered wigs. In the dress of elite boys in the early 18th century, particularly on continental Europe, wigs were the in fashion. He is holding his hat under his arm to not disarrange the powder on his wig. Burdett is also fashionable by wearing a green coat and holding a gold-headed cane, which complement the woodland scene. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1730 to 1732.

Portrait of the Hon. John Bulkeley Coventry - Isaac Whood

Portrait of the Hon. John Bulkeley Coventry - Isaac Whood

John Bulkeley Coventry's poses in front of a warship is firing its guns – an allusion to his ancestor, Sir William Coventry, a naval commissioner. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1731 to 1739. He was brother to Thomas Henry Coventry, subject of one of the set, and to George Coventry, subject of the missing portrait.

Portrait of Henry Douglas, Earl of Drumlanrig - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Henry Douglas, Earl of Drumlanrig - Isaac Whood

Henry Douglas, travelling to London by carriage accidentally killed himself with his own pistol in 1754. His wife never recovered and died two years afterwards. He is depicted in a relaxed environment, with his shirt collar undone. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1731 to 1739.

Portrait of Fulke Greville - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Fulke Greville - Isaac Whood

Fulke Greville married Frances Macartney, whom he published 'Maxims, characters, and reflections' with in 1756. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1728 to 1733. He was the first cousin once removed of Francis Greville, Lord Brooke, another subject of the set.

Portrait of Charles Bennet, Lord Ossulston - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Charles Bennet, Lord Ossulston - Isaac Whood

Charles Bennet, Lord Ossulston, is wearing a nobleman’s gown, lifted by the breeze. He must therefore spend a lot of time outside hunting. You can even see an ongoing hunt in the background. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1729 to 1732.

Portrait of William of Wykeham - After Samson Strong

Portrait of William of Wykeham - After Samson Strong

William of Wykeham was The Imposter. This portrait isn't one of the 'Gentlemen Commoners.' It wasn't even painted by Isaac Whood! But, it, like 12 of the portraits, hangs in the Master in College's Dining Room. The portrait is a typical founder's portrait. New College, Oxford and Winchester College are both depicted and Wykeham is wearing liturgical vestments. The portrait was copied from a portrait at New College, Oxford, by Sampson Strong which you can see through the link below.

Portrait of Charles Tryon - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Charles Tryon - Isaac Whood

Charles Tryon was not a noble even though he was a commoner. The inkpot and pens emphasise that he was a schoolboy, not a aristocrat. His gown is neither that of an aristocrat nor that of a scholar. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1730 to 1738.

Portrait of the Hon. Burlace Wallop - Isaac Whood

Portrait of the Hon. Burlace Wallop - Isaac Whood

Burlace Wallop joined the military, alongside fellow subject Lord Ossulston, where he died of fever in 1741. Like the portrait of Charles Tryon, it is suitably academic, with the subject reading. He is playing with his gown in his unoccupied hand. It is the only portrait in the series taken in three-quarter profile, where the subject is facing away from the viewer. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1730 to 1734.

Portrait of John Wynne - Isaac Whood

Portrait of John Wynne - Isaac Whood

John Wynne's frame suggests that the portrait was painted before he joined the College. This is likely a mistake in transcribing between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Wynne's family had recently come to much wealth, after successfully asserting their right to lead recently discovered at Halkyn Mountain. With this new wealth, Wynne is wearing the most expensive outfit of the set, embroidered with silver. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1732 to 1736. His frame is dated 1731.

Portrait of John Alderson - Isaac Whood

Portrait of John Alderson - Isaac Whood

John Alderson wears a 'murrey velvet coat and a blue satin waistcoat trimmed with silver braid'. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1732 to 1740.

Portrait of Thomas Henry Coventry, Viscount Deerhurst - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Thomas Henry Coventry, Viscount Deerhurst - Isaac Whood

Thomas Henry Coventry wears an expensive silk waistcoat. The colours of his clothes are the reverse of his brothers'. He was at Winchester from 1730 to 1736. He was brother to John Bulkeley Coventry, subject of one of the set, and to George Coventry, subject of the missing portrait.

Portrait of Brownlow Cecil, Lord Burghley - Isaac Whood

Portrait of Brownlow Cecil, Lord Burghley - Isaac Whood

Brownlow Cecil's portrait was painted 5 years after the others and has substantially different dimensions. Unusually, it has been signed and dated, on the table, by the artist. He was a pupil at Winchester from 1732 to 1742.

The Gentleman Commoners are part of 'John Burton & His Gifts'.

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