Artwork
Possibly Henry Maule, Bishop of Cloyne (1676-1758)
Possibly Henry Maule, Bishop of Cloyne (1676-1758) is an oil painting by James Latham. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1720, this oil portrait is attributed to the Irish painter James Latham. The work measures a bust-length view of a gentleman, rendered against a darkened backdrop. It is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it is displayed as an example of early eighteenth‑century portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with a rounded face, white hair, and a modest white shirt accented by a black scarf, suggesting clerical status. His expression is restrained, and his steady gaze meets the viewer directly, conveying a sense of dignified composure typical of ecclesiastical portraiture of the period.
Technique & Style
Latham employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing the light to model the figure’s features while the surrounding darkness recedes, creating depth and focus. The brushwork is smooth, particularly in the rendering of the hair and fabric, reflecting the refined, controlled approach favored by portraitists working for the Protestant elite in early Georgian Ireland.
History & Provenance
The portrait has long been identified, though not conclusively, with Henry Maule, who served as Bishop of Cloyne from 1676 to 1758. It entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains catalogued under the tentative identification of Bishop Maule.
Artist & collection
Double Portrait of Bishop Robert Clayton (1695-1758) and his Wife Katherine (née Donnellan) (d.1766)
Portrait of Francis Hutcheson (1694-1746)
Self-Portrait
Portrait of Lady Catherine Nugent (d.1756)
Portrait of a Military Gentleman, possibly General George Wade (1673-1748)
Portrait of Charles Tottenham in his Boots
Bildnis einer Dame
Possible Portrait of Esther Johnson ('Stella')
