Prince Henry Benedict Clement Stuart, 1725 - 1807. Cardinal York; younger brother of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
About this artwork
This portrait by la Tour depicts a charismatic and handsome young man in armour wearing the blue sash of the Order of the Garter. From around 1842 the sitter was identified as Prince Charles Edward Stuart. However, it is now considered to represent his younger brother, Prince Henry. Unlike his father, Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, and brother, Henry did not attempt to reclaim the throne and instead pursued a highly successful career as Cardinal York in the Roman Catholic Church. Both brothers sat for la Tour around 1746-8, and all subsequent portraits of Henry depict him in his cardinal’s robes. In late 1745 he went to France to support his brother, serving with the French army in 1746 - therefore, it is appropriate for him to have been painted in armour at this time.
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title:Prince Henry Benedict Clement Stuart, 1725 - 1807. Cardinal York; younger brother of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
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accession number:PG 2954
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materials:Pastel on paper
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date created:1746 / 1747
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measurements:61.00 x 51.00 cm (framed: 82.55 x 71.12 x 11.43 cm)
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credit line:Purchased with aid of the Art Fund 1994
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photographer:Antonia Reeve
Maurice Quentin de La Tour
Maurice Quentin de La Tour
La Tour was born in Saint-Quentin in north-eastern France, the son of a musician. He went to college at Saint-Quentin, his father intending that his son should become an engineer. Instead, La Tour went to Paris where he studied with the Flemish artist Spoëde. La Tour worked…