PORTRAIT OF LADY EYRE OF NORWICH - BY JOHN THEODORE HEINS (1697 - 1756)
An exceedingly fine and sensitively rendered portrait of a lady traditionally identified as Lady Eyre of Norwich by the celebrated 18th century portrait artist John Theodore Heins. Singed and dated 1753 lower left.
The elegant sitter is depicted half length within a sculpted oval cartouche her head inclined to the left and she gazes away form the viewer with a most beguiling expression. Her elegant costume is comprised of an oyster coloured slashed front dress with an exquisite finely worked lace collar. She wears this over a frilled white chemise which is held in place with jewelled clasps and around her shoulders is a turquoise silk wrap.
The young and attractive subject has bright hazel eyes, flushed cheeks and blonde hair which is gathered loosely upwards and held in place with a stand of pearls and feathered headpiece.
Of particular note are her the sitters creamy complexion and also her classically draped costume which both retain their original colour remarkably well. The restrained colour palette of this work, and the insightful characterisation of an attractive sitter make this portrait one of the artists greatest works.
John Theodore Heins 1697-1756. Heins was a painter and engraver, likely of German birth, but active in Great Britain. He settled in Norwich and by 1720 was working on a series of portraits of members of prominent local families. In fact from 1720 to his death in 1756, Heins built up a fine reputation as a portrait painter and painted many members of prominent Norfolk families.
He is recorded as living in Hog Hill in the city in 1729 when he held a raffle, with three of his pictures as prizes.[Some of his early works are signed "D. Heins"; the "D" is thought to stand for "Dietrich", the German form of “Theodore”.
In 1732 he was commissioned to execute the first of a number of portraits of Norwich civic dignitaries which can be seen at Saint Andrew's Hall in the city. He monopolised civic portraiture in Norwich until 1746, when Thomas Bardwell was commissioned by the city's artillery company to paint a portrait of William Crowe, who became mayor the following year.
Heins painted two portraits of the Hanoverian composer and emigre to England, Handel. Some of his finest works were commissioned by the Astley family of Melton Constable, including one of a Musical Party, and a double portrait of Edward and Blanche Astley, the children of Sir Jacob Astley, 3rd Bt. (1692 – 1760).[7] Heins also depicted allegorical and historical subjects and candle-light scenes, and painted genre pieces, including two Scenes from the Life of Thomas Guy.
It is believed that Heins died in Norwich 10 August, 1756, aged about 59 years. He had continued painting right up until his death. His son, also called John Theodore Heins was also a portraitist but unfortunately lacked his father's talent.
The work of Heins ( senior) can also nee seen in the collection soft Norwich Castle Museum, Felbrigg Hall (National Trust), Cambridge University and the National Portrait Gallery.
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Canvas : 30” x 25" / 76cm x 63cm.
Frame: 36.5" x 32" / 93cm x 81cm.
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