Little is known about the English painter William Dobson (1611-1646), yet he is regarded by many as one of the finest English portrait painters of the 17th century. To mark the 400th anniversary of Dobson's birth, the Courtauld Gallery is displaying one of its most prized possessions Portrait of an Old and a Younger Man (ca. 1641-2)The painting will be presented in the light of the latest research by art critic, Waldemar Januszczak. Speaking in a three-part television documentary entitled Baroque! From St Peter's to St Paul's (BBC 2009), Januszczak described William Dobson as "the first British born genius, the first truly dazzling English painter."
William Dobson – About the Artist
William Dobson was born in London in 1611. In 1641 he was appointed court painter to Charles 1 following the death of Sir Anthony Van Dyck. Between 1642 and 1646, during the English Civil War, Charles I resided at Oxford, where Dobson painted a number of outstanding portraits of the Royal Family and its supporters. The King was defeated in 1646, after which Dobson returned to London.
Despite enjoying a highly successful career, recording the principal characters of one of the most tumultuous periods in British history, Dobson died in poverty in October 1646, aged 35.
William Dobson: A Portrait Revealed
There has been much debate about the sitters portrayed in Portrait of an Old and a Younger Man. Just who were these gentlemen? They touch hands as though comforting each other, and for some time it was assumed that they might be father and son, mourning the loss of a wife or mother.
Many other possibilities exist, including that offered by art historian John Murdoch (The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, page 58). He suggests the two men are opposing members of Church and State. The old man may be a Puritan and Parliamentarian, while the younger person might be a Royalist. Perhaps they are saying goodbye to each other.
The debate has continued until recently, with numerous explanations being proposed. Waldemar Januszczak believes that he has solved this intriguing riddle.
Waldemar Januszczak
Waldemar Januszczak (b.1954) studied History of Art at Manchester University. Januszczak, a well-respected art critic, is also known for his insightful television arts documetaries. Formerly, arts critic and editor at The Guardian, and Head of Arts at the UK's Channel 4 television,Januszczak is a Director of ZCZ Films and art critic at The Sunday Times. He has twice been voted Critic of the Year by the Press Association.
Waldemar Januszczak's Research
Januszczak's research reveals the two gentlemen are not, as formerly supposed, father and son, or members of Church and State, but two poets living in Oxford, with Charles I, during the English Civil War.
Januszczak identifies the older man as the notorious London character, John Taylor (1578-1653). Taylor, nicknamed 'the Water-Poet', was a waterman on the River Thames. His poems include The Description Of Tyburn and many others. Taylor accompanied Charles I to Oxford and was appointed official Water Bailiff.
The younger man is Sir John Denham (1614/15-1669) who joined Charles I in Oxford in 1643. Denham best-known as author of Cooper's Hill, a topographic poem that focuses on the River Thames, describing the scenery close to his home at Egham in Surrey. Denham wrote several versions of the poem, commenting on the historical events of the Civil War, from a Royalist point of view.
William Dobson: A Portrait Revealed – Special Events
- William Dobson: The Lost Genius of British Art – a television documentary by Waldemar Januszczak will be broadcast on BBC4 on 22nd September 2011. A second programme, planned for later this year, will outline the research that led to the identification of Sir John Denham and John Taylor.
- William Dobson: The Lost Genius of British Art – free event at Courtauld Gallery. On 19th October 2011 Januszczak will discuss his findings. The event is free but pre-booking is essential. (To book a place e-mail: events.)
- Dobson Art Trail – on 12th September 2011 the Dobson Art Trail, a website listing the locations of paintings by William Dobson, will go live.
This extraordinary painting will be on display from 12th September to 11th December 2011. Further information is available from The Courtauld Gallery.
Sources:
- The Courtauld Gallery
- Janusczcak, W., Baroque! – From St Peter's to St Paul's, (BBC TV, 2009).
- Murdock J., The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, Courtauld Institute of Art/Thames & Hudson Ltd., (1998)
Frances Spiegel - Frances Spiegel, B.A. Hons. (Open)., Dip.Eur.Hum., read Art History/European Modern History at the Open University.
