Valentine Green after Sir Joshua Reynolds

[Charles William Scott, Earl of Dalkeith]

14 x 20 inches

Charles Scott (1772-1819) was the elder son of the 3rd Duke of Dalkeith and his wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of the Duke of Montagu. He married Harriet the younger daughter of Viscount Salisbury in 1795 and became the 4th Duke of Dalkeith upon his father's death in 1812. This portrait matches the one that Reynolds did of his sister. It is unusual in that the boy is dressed in an elaborate Van Dyke costume. He rests one hand upon an owl (representing learning) whilst his pet spaniel plays at his feet (representing a childish playfulness).

Valentine Green was born in Worcestershire circa 1739. He began his working life in a lawyer's office but soon became a pupil to an obscure line-engraver in Worcester. In the 1760's he arrived in London and exhibited at Spring Gardens in 1766. In 1775 he was appointed associate engraver to the newly formed Royal Academy and mezzotint engraver to His Majesty, King George III. In 1789 he was fortunate enough to obtain the exclusive privilege of engraving the pictures in the Dusseldorf Gallery. He completed over twenty plates but unfortunately much of the work was destroyed in a siege of the town in 1798. Valentine Green died in London in 1813.