Noel Joseph Desenfans
Just as it is important for the current hang to include some of
the works by Sir Francis Bourgeois, it is also essential for the
Gallery to represent the other founder of Dulwich Picture Gallery,
Noel Desenfans. In addition this portrait, painted in the late
18th century by James Northcote is of high quality and
once conserved will further testify to the brilliance of the works
hanging in the Gallery.
Noel Desenfans came to London from France in 1769 as a language
teacher, but soon switched his vocational sites towards picture
dealing. By the 1790s he was called upon by the King of Poland to
assemble his art collection. However, due to the unforeseen
abdication of the King in 1795, Desenfans was lumped with the
entire Polish collection. Unable to persuade the English Government
to establish a National Gallery, Desenfans bequeathed the
collection to his friend Sir Francis Bourgeois, who in turn of
course, bequeathed it to Dulwich Picture Gallery.
This painting is among other portraits painted of Desenfans in
the year 1796 and was recorded in his account book for that year.
To have a portrait painted by Northcote, who initially was a pupil
of the great Sir Joshua Reynolds, was a statement in itself.
Engaging an artistic descendent of Reynolds, Desenfans managed to
commit himself to repute on canvas.
Conservation work required
This painting needs a good deal of cleaning and structural
work.
How much will it cost?
£7,700