Sir Francis Grant PRA (1803-1878)
"Home for the holidays"
Extensively inscribed verso with title and Master F Grant by Sir F Grant on canvas and stretcher respectively, oil on canvas, 116.5cm by 137.5cm

Provenance: Artist's family thence by descent; Simon C Dickinson Ltd., London

Sir Francis Grant was the most fashionable portrait painter of his day, his many well-known sitters included Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Benjamin Disraeli as well as his friend and fellow academician, Sir Edwin Landseer. He became ARA in 1842 and RA in 1851. In 1866 Grant succeeded Charles Eastlake as the 8th President of the Royal Academy, that same year he was knighted. An effective and popular President, he negotiated the Royal Academy's 999-year lease on Burlington House, for the rate of £1 a year. Grant's painting success was often attributed to his good looks and aristocratic background, but his popularity was more probably due to his ability to obtain a good likeness.

The fourth son of the laird of Kilgraston in Perthshire, Grant attended Harrow School. As a young man he was passionate about fox-hunting and art collecting and quickly ran through his inheritance. Sir Walter Scott's journal of 1831 relates how:

He used to avow his intention to spend his patrimony, about £10,000, and then again to make his fortune by the law. The first he soon accomplished. But the law is not a profession so easily acquired, nor did Frank's talents lie in that direction. His passion for painting turned out better. (Journal, 802-3).

Grant was largely self-taught, studying from old masters, including those in the notable collection at Kilgraston. From 1834 he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy until his death, a total of 253 portraits. Amongst the paintings Grant is known to have studied in depth is a Velasquez's portrait of the Duc d'Olivarez, lent to him by his friend Lord Elgin. This painting is regarded as particularly influential in Grant's artistic development and the composition of Home for the Holidays, clearly owes itself to this masterpiece.

Painted for Grant's own pleasure, Home for the Holidays is not listed in the artist's sitter book. It is a private portrait of his third son, Francis Richard Charles, born in 1834 from his second marriage to Isabella Norman, niece of the Duke of Rutland. Stylistically dating to the late 1840s, it was most likely executed in 1849, following the young Francis' return from his first term at Rugby School, aged 14. Clearly painted by a delighted parent at the return home of a much loved child, Grant embodies his son's youth and energy in the rearing Arabian horse, mane flowing, nostrils flared. The loose background, in muted hues of chestnut and turquoise, allows the viewer's attention to focus on the boy's tenderly painted features, his mouth drawn up in the faintest of smiles.

Following his time at Trinity College, Cambridge the young Francis entered the army, becoming Lieutenant-Colonel, 5th Lancers. He served with the 9th Lancers in the Indian Mutiny Campaign and was present at numerous actions and throughout the Siege and Assault of Delhi, where he had two horses shot under him. He took part in the actions of Bolundshuhur, Ally Ghur, Agra, the Capture of Meeangunge, and the relief of Lucknow. He was Aide-de-Camp to his uncle Sir Hope Grant in North China throughout the campaign of 1860, and at the Capture of Pekin. Francis died in London, 1899 and unmarried.

Bibliography:

DNB Walter Scott Journal Grove The Times obituary 1.10.1878 p. 6 Col F

C. Wills, 'Sir Francis Grant as a sporting painter', British Sporting Art Trust, 1992
F. Boase, Modern English Biography, Vol 1 p1202, London 1965

Rugby School register 1842-1874, published 1902. Entrances in February 1849 Harrow school archive online.

See illustration