John Downman (1750 – 1824), the famed 18th century Welsh portrait painter, lived in Cambridge from 1777 to 1779 seeking out his portrait clientele among the local academics and students. He is said to have set up his easel in college gardens meeting Cambridge students from wealthy and well-connected families, and this helped to springboard his London career from 1779 to 1804.
Charles Chadwick, by John Downman, 1779. Available at The Fine Sale on 21st September
The portrait which will be offered as part of the September Fine Sale depicts Charles Chadwick (1753-1829). Dated 1779, this is an exquisite and rare example in oil of the work that John Downman produced during his brief stay in Cambridge. In the distance behind the sitter, the long façade of Emmanuel College can be seen, where Charles Chadwick was admitted in 1771 to study law. Research would suggest that this portrait may have been commissioned to celebrate the awarding of Chadwick’s degree. A preparatory drawing in chalk executed in 1778, is now housed in the Fitzwilliam Museum which also holds a collection of coloured drawings of other sitters by the artist.
Detail of Emmanuel College
The Chadwick family had a long association with Emmanuel College. Charles Chadwicke, Chaplain to Elizabeth I and James I, was among its first dons at the college’s founding in 1585 and became Dean in 1587. The family had estates at Mavesyn Ridware in Staffordshire, Healey Hall near Rochdale and Sladen near Littleborough, Lancashire.
Charles Chadwick was the son of Colonel John Chadwick (1720-1800) of Healey. He was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1775 and gained his LLB in 1778. He served as a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire and Lancashire and was a member of the Commission of the Peace for the West Riding of Yorkshire. In 1788, he married Frances, the only surviving daughter and heiress of Richard Green of Leventhorpe Hall. They had one son, Hugo-Malveysin Chadwick who succeeded to his father’s estates.
Downman was born in North Wales, son of the attorney Francis Downman, and Charlotte, daughter of Francis Goodsend, private secretary to George I. He is now best known for his small oval portraits in chalks and stump on paper tinted with watercolour on the reverse to create the effect of translucent flesh tones. In his early career he worked on small oval oil portraits on copper, of which the present picture is a fine example. After some time spent in London and Kent, Downman moved to Devon where he married a daughter of the well-known Exeter organist and composer William Jackson, who had been a friend of Thomas Gainsborough. His portraits were much in demand, favoured for their soft, delicate style and he was commissioned to draw famous beauties of the day such as the Duchess of Devonshire.
This picture will be offered at The Fine Sale at Cheffins on 21st September, with an estimate of £8,000 - £12,000.
To view the calendar for the upcoming sales at Cheffins, please click here.