Who painted Edward Howard (1744–1767)?

Edward Howard (1744–1767) was painted by Pompeo Batoni in 1766.

Where can I see Edward Howard (1744–1767)?

Edward Howard (1744–1767) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Edward Howard (1744–1767)?

Edward Howard (1744–1767) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Edward Howard (1744–1767)

Pompeo Batoni , 1766

Edward Howard (1744–1767) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Pompeo Batoni. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Painted in 1766, this oil portrait by the Italian artist Pompeo Batoni shows a young gentleman in a red, gold‑trimmed military uniform. He stands before a stone pedestal with a distant landscape, holding a tricorn hat in his right hand and the leash of a small brown dachshund in his left.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as Edward Howard, is presented with symbols of status and leisure: the formal attire, the hat, and the companion dog. The inclusion of the dachshund, poised on its hind legs, underscores a cultivated elegance typical of aristocratic portraiture in the mid‑eighteenth century.

Technique & Style

Batoni employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, creating a clear contrast between illuminated fabrics and the darker background. The rendering of textures—metallic gold trim, the sheen of the dog’s coat, and the distant landscape—demonstrates his refined handling of oil paint within a Rococo aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The portrait was produced during Batoni’s prolific period of serving British and Anglo‑Irish patrons on the Grand Tour. It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of eighteenth‑century European portraiture.

Context

Batoni’s career was marked by a blend of portraiture and mythological subjects, often set against Italian scenery. This work reflects his practice of integrating the sitter into an idealized environment, a convention that appealed to young travelers seeking both personal commemoration and a taste of Italian culture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Pompeo Batoni

Pompeo Girolamo Batoni (25 January 1708 – 4 February 1787) was an Italian painter who displayed a solid technical knowledge in his portrait work and in his numerous allegorical and mythological pictures.