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Henry Knight of Tythegston with his three children
Zoffany was born in Germany, and studied in Rome before moving to London in 1760. He became one of George III's favourite painters and was nominated a founder member of the Royal Academy by the King. His reputation was at its height in 1770. Henry Knight (1738-72) of Tythegston in Glamorganshire, became a captain in the 70th Foot in 1762. He also probably served in the 15th Light Dragoons, as his elder son depicts here trying on a helmet of that regiment, inscribed with its battle honour 'Emsdorf'. Knight's wife Catherine left him in 1769, and he is depicted here with his sons Henry and Robert, and his daughter Etheldra. The seaside setting presumably alludes to the location of Tythegston, a couple of miles from the coast, between Bridgend and Porthcawl. The tree motif, frequently used in Zoffany's group portraits, gives all the figures equal prominence. This monumental family group is in remarkably good condition and powerfully evokes the wealth and sophistication of the South Wales gentry in the mid eighteenth century.
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Comments - (2)
Thank you very much for this information; I have forwarded it to our Senior Curator of Historic Art.
Best wishes,
Marc
Digital Team
His elder son also wears a gorget (the symbol of an officer on duty) around his neck.
The sword held by the younger son is a blend of military and civilian style common before standard pattern swords were introduced for the army from 1788; the shape of the scabbard suggests that the blade is of the type known as a 'colichemarde', swelling out towards the hilt; my impression is this type of blade went out of fashion in the 1720s, which would suggest another dating anomaly - perhaps the Royal Armouries at Leeds could advise. The black finish to the grip and pommel seems unusual, and may represent mourning. Is it possible that the military accoutrements belong to a deceased relative who served in the 15th, or even perhaps be military 'props' provided by or added by the artist?
I hope these remarks are of some interest.