Colonial America
Historic Reverse Painting on Glass of “William Pitt Esqr.” Executed By Noted English Portraitist William Hoare Circa 1766
Circa 1755-66 (Undated) French and Indian War Era, Reverse Hand-Painted Mezzotint Print on Glass, Portrait of “The Right Honourable William Pitt Esqr...,” by William Hoare Painter, After the circa 1754 Original Painting, held in National Portrait Gallery, London, Choice Extremely Fine+.
William Pitt (1708 - 1778) was the Prime Minister of Great Britain (holding the official title of Lord Privy Seal) between 1766–68, under King George III. This is an original, deep and rich Colored Hand-Painted, Reverse Painting on Glass, measuring 14.25” x 10.25” (by sight), within a period ornately decorated painted gilt and black wooden frame to an overall size of 16” x 12” showing a near full Portrait of the seated William Pitt. We have located another example of this same Mezzotint Engraving, that is Not Hand-Painted, in the British “Government Art Collection” Location: UK, London, Downing Street.

Pitt sits leaning against a table holding a letter in his right hand, which it appears he had just written, with his left hand resting on his leg. Pitt wears a magnificent, period dark green suit of clothes, white fancy ruffled shirt with knee-length white Knickers. There are many Hand-Painted applied gold-gilt lines about the printed portions to add bright highlighting, dimension in the “Trompe-l’oeil” (French for deceive the eye) style of painting that gives an illusion of greater reality. In this instance used to make the painting also appear to be upon board. Hoare himself was a delicate etcher and published a number of private plates himself. The bottom Legend and Text reads, if full:

“William Hoare Pinxt. (Painter/Printer) --- ‘The Right Honourable William Pitt Esq. - One of his Majestys Principle Secretary’s of State, - And One of His Majesty’s most Hon-ble Privy Council’ - Printed for and Sold by Robt. Sayor opposite Fetter Lane Fleet Street.”

The original, circa 1754 Oil On Canvas Painting titled, “William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham” was completed in the studio of William Hoare. It measures 49.75” x 39.75” (1264 mm x 1010 mm) and was purchased by the National Portrait Gallery, London, in 1896. See: John Kerslake, “Early Georgian Portraits,” 1977, page 45; David Saywell, Jacob Simon, “Complete Illustrated Catalogue,” 2004, page 119; Jacob Simon, “The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain,” 1997 (accompanying the Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), page 63.

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, Privy Council (1708 - May 1778) was a British Whig Statesman who led Britain during the Seven Years' War (known as the “French and Indian War” in the United States). He again led the country as Prime Minister of Great Britain (holding the official title of Lord Privy Seal) between 1766–68, under King George III.

Pitt is best known as the wartime political leader of Britain in the “Seven Years War,” especially for his single-minded devotion to victory over France. Victory made Britain dominant in world affairs. He is also known for his wide popular appeal, his opposition to corruption in government, his support for the “American” position in the run-up to the American Revolution. His advocacy of British greatness, expansionism and Colonialism, and his antagonism toward Britain's chief enemies and rivals for Colonial power, Spain and France were well displayed. Pitt's power was based not on his family connections but his extraordinary parliamentary skills by which he dominated the House of Commons. He displayed a commanding manner, brilliant rhetoric, and sharp debating skills that cleverly utilized broad literary and historical knowledge.

This is one of the most important Hand-Painted Reverse Glass Prints by William Hoare (c. 1707 - December 1792) and is in beautiful, original condition. Hoare was an English Portraitist, Painter and Printmaker; until the arrival of Thomas Gainsborough at Bath, Somerset, he was the Leading British Portraitist. He was a Co-Founder of the Royal Academy, and is noted for his pastels. This most impressive, rich and colorful Hnad-Painted Mezzotint on Glass example of his work is in near perfect, original condition with just a few trivial nicks to the outer frame and is of “Museum Quality,” ready to prominently hang on display.
William Hoare of Bath RA (c. 1707 – 12 December 1792) was an English Portraitist, painter and printmaker; until the arrival of Thomas Gainsborough at Bath, Somerset, he was the leading Portraitist. He was a Co-founder of the Royal Academy and noted for his pastels.

Born near Eye, Suffolk, Hoare received a gentleman’s education in Faringdon. He showed a marked aptitude for drawing and was sent to London to study under Giuseppe Grisoni, who had left Florence for London in 1715. When Grisoni returned to Italy in 1728, Hoare went with him, travelling to Rome and continuing his studies under the direction of Francesco Imperiali. He remained in Rome for nine years, returning to London in 1737/8.

Failing to establish himself in London, Hoare settled in Bath, an expanding spa town popular with the wealthier classes. He obtained numerous commissions, the most important being for official portraits of social leaders of the day (including George Frideric Handel) and political men (e.g., Prime Ministers Robert Walpole and William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, c.1754). There are several versions of most of these, suggesting that he had a studio, and they were further publicised by the production of mezzotints by leading engravers of the day. Hoare himself was a delicate etcher and published a number of private plates, mostly of family and friends, including Miss Hoare (probably Mary), Christopher Anstey and the 3rd Duke of Beaufort. His pastels were influenced by Rosalba Carriera.

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield by William Hoare.

William Hoare was the first fashionable portraitist to settle in Bath, and he remained as the leading portraitist there until the arrival of Thomas Gainsborough in 1759. He remained the favourite of his powerful patron the Duke of Newcastle, his family, followers and political associates. Included amongst his other important patrons were the Earls of Pembroke and Chesterfield, and the Duke of Beaufort. With Gainsborough and Joshua Reynolds, he was a founding member of the Royal Academy.

Hoare was closely involved with the running of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital in Bath from 1742. He served as a governor of the hospital.[1] and became acquainted with Bath's notable visitors and the neighbouring landed families. Chalmers described him as 'an ingenious and amiable English painter'. He died at Bath on 12 December 1792.