Portrait Of James Mingay, K.C.

James Mingay (1752-1812) was a prominent lawyer, King's Counsel, and twice Mayor of Thetford, Norfolk. In 1785 he became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He lost his right hand in an accident at Gringleford Mill as a boy. Mingay is seated, facing right, looking at viewer, wearing lace bands, dark gown, and a large white wig. His right arm rests on the chair, carefully concealing his hooked hand, and his left hand rests on a table, on which are papers and an inkstand. Sittings for this portrait took place in 1786 and 1787. It was sent to Mingay and paid for in 1789. At around the same time (final sitting 1791) the artist made a portrait of Mingay's wife, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Corrall). the same size as this one. Mingay left his portrait to his wife at his death.

The portrait was made into a mezzotint by Charles Howard Hodges, published in 1791. See National Portait Gallery, NPG D38841.It was made into a stipple engraving by Hopwood in 1803.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Commissioned from the artist by the sitter, recieved and paid for in 1789; by inheritance to his wife, Elizabeth, at his death in 1812; by inheritance to their nephew, William James Mingay, Shotesham, at her death in 1817. W. Millers-Rawlinson, Duddon Hall, Broughton-in-Furness, second half of the nineteenth century. C.W. Rotch, by 1902. Sold at Christies, London, 5 July, 1902 (for 231 pounds).[1] Sir George Donaldson, Brighton; exhibited in the National Gallery, London, for three years during World War I. [2] Leger Galleries, London, until 1943; Mr. Solomon, 1943 or before; gift to the Walters Art Gallery by Mrs. Mircea M. Iurascu in memory of Mircea M. Iurascu, 9 January 1968.

[1] The portrait of Elizabeth Mingay was sold at Christies, London, 26 May, 1906 for 6,150 pounds. It is repoduced in "Illustrated Catalogue of the Twelfth Series of 100 Paintings by Old Masters ... Sedelmeyer Gallery," Paris, 1913, p. 145, no. 95.

[2] According to W. Roberts, James Mingay, K.C. by George Romney, London, 1928, p. 8.