Thomas Millward (c.1754-1835) of Brook Lodge, Jamaica

John Russell (1745 - 1806)

Pastel on paper

1796

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  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection

    Thomas Millward, the owner of a coffee plantation in the parish of St Thomas, Jamaica, who resided at Brook Lodge, is shown in a bright, royal blue coat and beige breeches. His left hand rests on a copy of ‘The Laws of Jamaica’. The two volume publication was first printed in 1792 and is a reference book, which lists all public laws alphabetically. The subjects covered give an insight into life on the island during British rule and include slaves, land, roads, cattle, gaming, hawkers, ships and smuggling. The lettering on the spine of the book indicates that Russell is holding the second volume, covering the first to the 32nd year of the reign of King George III (from 1760 to 1792).

  • About the artist
    John Russell was born in Guildford; the son of a book and printseller. He studied at Guildford Grammar School before being apprenticed to Francis Cotes. He moved to London in 1768 and later married Hannah Faden, daughter of a printseller. The couple had twelve children. In the 1770s, Russell turned from painting portraits in oil to using pastel on paper. He made his own crayons and described the process in his book ‘Elements of Painting with Crayons’ (1772). He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1769 and was later elected a Royal Academician. In 1789 he became painter to King George III and the Prince of Wales. He was also an astronomer and produced several large images of the surface of the moon. He died of typhus during a trip to Hull.
  • Explore
    People
    Thomas Millward ( - 1835)
    Places
    Caribbean Islands (West Indies), Jamaica
    Subjects
    book, topography, male portrait, man, 18th century costume, coat, breeches, wig, plinth (represented), armchair, curtain
    Materials & Techniques
    paper (as artists material), pastel, pastel drawing
  • Details
    Artist
    John Russell (1745 - 1806)
    Title
    Thomas Millward (c.1754-1835) of Brook Lodge, Jamaica
    Date
    1796
    Medium
    Pastel on paper
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Appleby Bros, July 1962
    Inscription
    Sd
    Provenance
    Collection of Thomas Millward (c.1754-1835); by descent to Edward George Millward Barnard (1832-1897; grandson of the sitter); with Appleby Bros., London; from whom purchased by the Ministry of Works in 1962
    GAC number
    5856