Nathanial Cholmley
The splendour of this portrait owes much to the sumptuous coat of black silk, decorated with threads of Venetian gold and silver upon which the artist has lavished such attention. In his hand, the sitter holds a sheet of paper which bears the inscription: This is for Nathaniall Cholmley Esqr. Cholmley was related to the family at Boynton Hall, Bridlington, and this painting came from the collection there when the contents of the house were sold in 1950. Previously attributed to the English artist John Riley (1641-91), this painting is now thought to be by the Italian Gennari, whose own inventory of his work refers to âa pair of Cholmleysâ. Gennari shares with Riley a sensitive and perceptive depiction of character, but rather stiff and awkward composition.
