John Trotter (fl. 1756-1792 Dublin)
Portrait of a gentleman, possibly Judge James Ball, and his dog, seated before a landscape
Oil on canvas
35 x 27 7/8 in
88.8 x 70.8 cm
88.8 x 70.8 cm
John Trotter studied at the Dublin Society Schools circa 1756 where, according to the Hibernian Journal, in 1800, 'his genius was in admiration, and he made drawings, unrivalled probably by...
John Trotter studied at the Dublin Society Schools circa 1756 where, according to the Hibernian Journal, in 1800, 'his genius was in admiration, and he made drawings, unrivalled probably by any master before or since'. Like many other artists of his generation, he also travelled to Rome, in order to learn from first hand experience the technique of the Old Masters, where he stayed for sixteen years (c. 1759-73). On his return from Italy he set up as a portrait painter in Dublin where he showed his work at a various exhibitions, and continued to paint until his death in 1792. He married twice, firstly to Marianne, daughter of his contemporary Robert Hunter, the leading portrait painter of his time in Ireland, by whom he had two daughters.
Provenance
The Ball Collection, 46 Merrion Square, Dublin, 1903;With Leggatt's, London, July 1972;
where purchased by the present owner