THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH (1727-1788)

Portrait of the Rev. Richard Harris of Wymering Manor (1711-1768)

oil on canvas

30 x 25 in. (76 x 63.5 cm)

37 x 32 inches, inc. frame

Price: Sold

Provenance: Mrs. Jane (Harris) Bigg, sister; Mr. Lovelace Bigg-Wither, (1741-1813) Manydown Manor, nephew; Thence by family descent, London.

Richard Harris (1711-1768) matriculated March 12 1729/30 New College Oxford Vicar of Wymering and bought the manor. Richard was the brother of Jane Harris, wife of Rev Walter Bigg (1701-1772) and an uncle to Lovelace Bigg, later Bigg-Wither (1741-1813). Lovelace inherited Wymering Manor from his mother. Harris is record as visiting Bath with his wife in 1760 and it is likely when this portrait was executed.

We would like to thank Hugh Belsey for confirming the artist on a first hand inspection and its inclusion in his Catalogue Raisonne of the artist to be published by the Paul Mellon Centre.