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Lot Essay
This drawing relates to a series of portraits of 'The Young Pretender' executed by Hussey while he was in Rome between 1733 and 1737, during which time he was possibly acting as private secretary to the Prince, he certainly mixed in Jacobite circles (see J. Ingamells A Dictionary of British and Irish Travellers in Italy 1701-1800, London, 1997, p. 540).
Other versions of the drawing, which show the Prince in an embroidered coat and sash include a drawing formerly in the Ilchester Collection at Holland House, London, one in the collection of the Duke of Atholl, Blair Castle, one formerly in the collection of Lord Montague at Cowdray Park and another in the collection of Lord Arundell at Wardour. The present drawing depicting the Prince in armour may date towards the end of Hussey's stay in Italy as the Prince is presented as an heroic figure, the focus of the Stuart cause. These depictions were perhaps intended as iconic images of the exiled leader for his Jacobite supporters in Britain.
Other versions of the drawing, which show the Prince in an embroidered coat and sash include a drawing formerly in the Ilchester Collection at Holland House, London, one in the collection of the Duke of Atholl, Blair Castle, one formerly in the collection of Lord Montague at Cowdray Park and another in the collection of Lord Arundell at Wardour. The present drawing depicting the Prince in armour may date towards the end of Hussey's stay in Italy as the Prince is presented as an heroic figure, the focus of the Stuart cause. These depictions were perhaps intended as iconic images of the exiled leader for his Jacobite supporters in Britain.