The Armitt acquires rare George Romney portrait of historic Cumbrian landowner
News date: for immediate release
The Armitt acquires rare George Romney portrait of historic Cumbrian landowner
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library in Ambleside has acquired an important portrait of Sir Michael Le Fleming, 4th Baronet of Rydal Hall, painted by Cumbria’s own George Romney.
George Romney (1734-1802) was an English portrait painter, the most fashionable artist of his day, painting leading political and social figures.
Born in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, he began his career in Kendal, moving to London in 1762. Romney returned from a two-year visit to Rome in 1775, and his career thereafter went from strength to strength. Romney returned to Cumbria towards the end of his life.
He remains the most significant British artist to be associated with the Lake District.
The sitter of the portrait is Sir Michael le Fleming, owner of the Rydal Hall estate, two miles north of Ambleside. Le Fleming was MP for Westmorland from 1774 until his death in 1806 and is seen in the painting in the uniform of the Westmorland Militia. He sat for this portrait in 1779 and 1780, paying Romney’s 18-guinea fee in March 1781.
Manager & Curator for The Armitt, Faye Morrissey, said, “This work has an interesting story. It emerged in 2016 in a US private collection which allowed it to be identified as the rightful portrait of Le Fleming. Before this, in a recently published catalogue raisonée by Alex Kidson, another picture had been illustrated in its place. Now, the author acknowledges the error, and the work we have has been given the correct identification.”
Charles Nugent, Trustee of The Armitt adds: “We are delighted to have acquired this portrait of Sir Michael le Fleming, who was the local Member of Parliament from 1774-1806 and owner of Rydal Hall. It is wonderful that the portrait has now come back home and it can be placed in its proper context. We are very grateful to the Beecroft Bequest and to the Friends of the Armitt who have made this purchase possible.”
This new acquisition is on display at The Armitt in Ambleside and is the spotlight piece in the first gallery of the museum. The artwork is available to view throughout 2023.
The Armitt acquires rare George Romney portrait of historic Cumbrian landowner
The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library in Ambleside has acquired an important portrait of Sir Michael Le Fleming, 4th Baronet of Rydal Hall, painted by Cumbria’s own George Romney.
George Romney (1734-1802) was an English portrait painter, the most fashionable artist of his day, painting leading political and social figures.
Born in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, he began his career in Kendal, moving to London in 1762. Romney returned from a two-year visit to Rome in 1775, and his career thereafter went from strength to strength. Romney returned to Cumbria towards the end of his life.
He remains the most significant British artist to be associated with the Lake District.
The sitter of the portrait is Sir Michael le Fleming, owner of the Rydal Hall estate, two miles north of Ambleside. Le Fleming was MP for Westmorland from 1774 until his death in 1806 and is seen in the painting in the uniform of the Westmorland Militia. He sat for this portrait in 1779 and 1780, paying Romney’s 18-guinea fee in March 1781.
Manager & Curator for The Armitt, Faye Morrissey, said, “This work has an interesting story. It emerged in 2016 in a US private collection which allowed it to be identified as the rightful portrait of Le Fleming. Before this, in a recently published catalogue raisonée by Alex Kidson, another picture had been illustrated in its place. Now, the author acknowledges the error, and the work we have has been given the correct identification.”
Charles Nugent, Trustee of The Armitt adds: “We are delighted to have acquired this portrait of Sir Michael le Fleming, who was the local Member of Parliament from 1774-1806 and owner of Rydal Hall. It is wonderful that the portrait has now come back home and it can be placed in its proper context. We are very grateful to the Beecroft Bequest and to the Friends of the Armitt who have made this purchase possible.”
This new acquisition is on display at The Armitt in Ambleside and is the spotlight piece in the first gallery of the museum. The artwork is available to view throughout 2023.
Latest Lectures announced
Diary Dates April - July 2023
Saturday April 1st 1p.m.
Lecture by David Cross, Vice President of the Romney Society, on George Romney at the National Trust’s Annual Opening of Dalton Castle, Dalton in Furness. There is also an exhibition featuring George Romney on view. For further details, please contact Gary Milne, Chair of the Friends of Dalton Castle, Tel 07917160129 garymilne1960@gmail.com
Friday 14th April 11.30 a.m.
Lecture by Stella Grace Lyons on Caspar David Friedrich.
By ZOOM in Members' own homes only. Please contact Jane Orrom Horton at the above address or romneysocmembers@gmail.com for the zoom link for the small charge of £5.
Friday 12th May 11.30 a.m.
Romney Society AGM at South Lakes Foyer.
The AGM will be followed by a short Lecture given by Prudence Bliss on the
Artists of Captain Cook’s Voyages
(originally intended to accompany Tony Furnival's lecture on Captain Cook in February).
Buffet lunch at 12.45/1pm.
Coffee & tea will be available throughout the occasion.
Please contact Jane romneysocmembers@gmail.com by 5th May to book lunch for £7.50.
Saturday 24th June. 3.00 pm
Strawberry Tea at the Entwhistles' house & garden in Grange.
This is a Fundraising Social Event. Tickets £10. Please book with Jane at the above address or romneysocmembers@gmail.com as soon as possible as numbers will be limited.
Tuesday 4th July- 11 a.m.
Visit to view George Romney’s paintings in Liverpool at the Walker Art Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Gallery.
A minibus will be organised from Kendal if enough Members would like to travel together. Entry to the Museums is free of charge, so the only costs to Members would be the transport and their lunch.
For further details and to book a place please contact Ian Horton at the above address or on romneysoctreasurer@gmail.com as soon as possible.
Saturday April 1st 1p.m.
Lecture by David Cross, Vice President of the Romney Society, on George Romney at the National Trust’s Annual Opening of Dalton Castle, Dalton in Furness. There is also an exhibition featuring George Romney on view. For further details, please contact Gary Milne, Chair of the Friends of Dalton Castle, Tel 07917160129 garymilne1960@gmail.com
Friday 14th April 11.30 a.m.
Lecture by Stella Grace Lyons on Caspar David Friedrich.
By ZOOM in Members' own homes only. Please contact Jane Orrom Horton at the above address or romneysocmembers@gmail.com for the zoom link for the small charge of £5.
Friday 12th May 11.30 a.m.
Romney Society AGM at South Lakes Foyer.
The AGM will be followed by a short Lecture given by Prudence Bliss on the
Artists of Captain Cook’s Voyages
(originally intended to accompany Tony Furnival's lecture on Captain Cook in February).
Buffet lunch at 12.45/1pm.
Coffee & tea will be available throughout the occasion.
Please contact Jane romneysocmembers@gmail.com by 5th May to book lunch for £7.50.
Saturday 24th June. 3.00 pm
Strawberry Tea at the Entwhistles' house & garden in Grange.
This is a Fundraising Social Event. Tickets £10. Please book with Jane at the above address or romneysocmembers@gmail.com as soon as possible as numbers will be limited.
Tuesday 4th July- 11 a.m.
Visit to view George Romney’s paintings in Liverpool at the Walker Art Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Gallery.
A minibus will be organised from Kendal if enough Members would like to travel together. Entry to the Museums is free of charge, so the only costs to Members would be the transport and their lunch.
For further details and to book a place please contact Ian Horton at the above address or on romneysoctreasurer@gmail.com as soon as possible.
22/10/2022
Lecture at Crooklands - Friday 11th November 2022 at 11.30 a.m.
Dr Stephen Lloyd will speak on
"Bellotto's Paintings of the Fortress of Königstein".
Lecture at Paul Mellon Centre, London - Thursday November 17th 6pm- 7.30pm
Nicholas Robbins at the Paul Mellon Centre will speak on
"George Romney in the prison-world of Europe".
N.B. This lecture was recorded and may be accessed free on-line at the Paul Mellon Centre website sometime after December 8th under the series title of Georgian Provocations II. www.paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk/whats-on/recordings.
Tuesday 6th December 2pm at Crooklands Hotel
Meet the Romney Society’s new Chairman, Glyn Hopkins and see his collection of Romney paintings!
Coffee/tea and mince-pies will be served.
Free Event. Please book in advance at romneysocmembers@gmail.com
Lecture at Crooklands - Friday 10th February 2023 at 11.30 a.m.
Stella Grace Lyons, the Art Society Accredited Lecturer, will speak on
"Caspar David Friedrich, Painter of Stillness & Solitude".
See the Diary pages for details
Lecture at Crooklands - Friday 11th November 2022 at 11.30 a.m.
Dr Stephen Lloyd will speak on
"Bellotto's Paintings of the Fortress of Königstein".
Lecture at Paul Mellon Centre, London - Thursday November 17th 6pm- 7.30pm
Nicholas Robbins at the Paul Mellon Centre will speak on
"George Romney in the prison-world of Europe".
N.B. This lecture was recorded and may be accessed free on-line at the Paul Mellon Centre website sometime after December 8th under the series title of Georgian Provocations II. www.paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk/whats-on/recordings.
Tuesday 6th December 2pm at Crooklands Hotel
Meet the Romney Society’s new Chairman, Glyn Hopkins and see his collection of Romney paintings!
Coffee/tea and mince-pies will be served.
Free Event. Please book in advance at romneysocmembers@gmail.com
Lecture at Crooklands - Friday 10th February 2023 at 11.30 a.m.
Stella Grace Lyons, the Art Society Accredited Lecturer, will speak on
"Caspar David Friedrich, Painter of Stillness & Solitude".
See the Diary pages for details
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