| Portrait of the Earl of Bellamont | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Joshua Reynolds |
| Year | 1774 |
| Type | Oil on canvas, portrait painting |
| Dimensions | 245 cm× 162 cm(96 in× 64 in) |
| Location | National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin |
Portrait of the Earl of Bellamont is a 1774 portrait painting by the British artist Joshua Reynolds. [1] It depicts the Irish aristocrat and politician Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont (his name is often written as Bellamont) He is depicted at full-length in the grand manner style wearing the ceremonial robes and ostrich-plumed hat of the Order of the Bath. [2] Leaning nonchalantly on his sword, it creates the effect of a dandy and echoes the portraits of Anthony van Dyck. This fits with his public persona as a vain womaniser who deserted his wife, the daughter of the Duke of Leinster. [3] Reynolds also adds a punning reference to the sitter's family surname by adding a coot to the background. [4]
The painting was displayed at the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1774 in London's Pall Mall, one of thirteen works he submitted that year. [5] Today it is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, which purchased it in 1875. [6] The same year a mezzotint was produced by the engraver James Scott based on the painting. [7]
