Artwork

Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret, and Henrietta Louisa, Countess of Pomfret

Thomas Fermor, 1st Earl of Pomfret, and Henrietta Louisa, Countess of Pomfret is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Bardwell. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Bardwell’s oil portrait, executed around 1750, presents Thomas Fermor, the first Earl of Pomfret, alongside his wife Henrietta Louisa, Countess of Pomfret. The work is part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection and exemplifies mid‑eighteenth‑century British aristocratic portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The couple is shown in formal court dress, reflecting their noble rank. Henrietta wears a white gown trimmed with red and gold, while Thomas is attired in a white and red coat accented with gold detailing. Their poised stance and complementary colours underscore the marital alliance and social prominence of the Pomfret family.

Technique & Style

Bardwell employs a refined oil medium, achieving a smooth surface that captures the textures of silk and satin. The painter’s handling of light creates subtle modelling on the faces, while the background remains subdued, allowing the figures’ attire and expressions to dominate the composition.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the portrait entered the Ashmolean Museum’s holdings as part of its British art collection. Its provenance traces back to the Pomfret family, though specific acquisition details are limited, confirming its status as a representative work of Bardwell’s portrait practice.