Code: 11461
Dimensions:
"The Young Moralist"
After George Romney (1734-1802)
Stipple Engraving by Thomas Nugent (1767-c.1829)
Published by Laurie & Whittle
London 1797
Measures:-
24.3 cm high by 17.3 cm (image)
33 cm high by 26.5 cm (framed)
Very scarce, but see BM 1859,0806.1267 for a single copy.
Presented in an original early 19th Century rosewood frame with a gilt inner slip.
Literature:-
Described p.11 of Humphry Ward & W. Roberts, Vol.II, "Romney - A Biographical and Critical Essay With a Catalogue Raisonné of his Works",Thos. Agnew & Sons, London, 1904
Engraved beneath with the artist's details "G.Romney pinxt" "T.Nugent Sculpt" and four lines of verse:-
"So lovely young & yet so good
How blest those Parents are
To see the seed of Virtue bud
Which they had planted there"
and with the publication line "Published 14th. Feby. 1797, by Laurie & Whittle, 53, Fleet Street"
Commemorated in 2025 by a new exhibition at Yale Centre for British Art George Romney (1734-1802) was one of the most feted artists of the late 18th Century.
Although issued as a decorative print, the sitter depicted in this work "The Young Moralist" is supposedly Hannah Beresford (b. 16 May 1775) the daughter of Hon Mrs Barbara Beresford (1776-1786) (née Montgomery) (circa 1757-1788) wife of Hon. John Beresford and a daughter of Sir William Montgomery. Mrs Beresford sat twice for Romney (one portrait now being in Philadelphia Museum of Art) and was one of the three sisters painted by Reynolds in the celebrated picture of "The Graces," now in the National Gallery, London.
