Portrait of a gentleman, traditionally identified as Henry Swinburne (circle of Francois-Xavier Fabre), François-Xavier Fabre

Circle of francois-xavier fabre portrait of a gentleman, traditionally identified as henry swinburne (1743-1803), three-quarter-length, seated at a table with a quill and musical manuscript, holding a violin oil on canvas 91. 9 x 71 cm.;36 ⅛ x 28 in. Henry swinburne was a travel writer who wrote accounts of journeys to spain, the two sicilies, and france. While abroad it would not have been unusual for such an aristocrat to have picked up some musical culture, and indeed the sitter here appears to be in the act of composition. Swinburne's granddaughter, henrietta sophia benfield, married robert berkeley (1794-1874) on 24 january 1822. Date: 18th century.