Provenance
Sir Thomas Rumbold, first Bt. (died 1791), Woodhall Park, Watton, Hertfordshire, 1788; by descent to his grandson Thomas Henry Rumbold (died 1882); at his death to his widow; Mrs. Thomas Henry Rumbold (died 1932); offered for sale, Sotheby’s, London, May 14, 1930, lot 93 (ill), bought in; her heirs; sold Sotheby’s, London, October 13, 1954, lot 167, ill., to Agnew [annotated sale catalogue, Ryerson Library]; sold by Agnew, London to William R. Kent, March 1955, and bought back form Kent, November 1955 [Agnew’s stock book, information kindly supplied by Gabriel Naughton]; sold by Agnew to the Art Institute, 1955.
Accession Number
84707
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
126.7 × 101.3 cm (49 7/8 × 39 7/8 in.)
Classification
oil on canvas
Credit Line
A. A. Munger Collection
Background & Context
Background Story
Joshua Reynolds's Sir Thomas Rumbold, Bt. is a portrait of the British colonial administrator. Reynolds's portraits set the standard for British portraiture in the 18th century.
Cultural Impact
Reynolds's portraits defined the image of 18th-century British society.
Why It Matters
This portrait of Sir Thomas Rumbold captures the dignity of the British gentleman.
