A fresh-to-market portrait by Rosalba Carriera, the pioneering 18th century Venetian female pastelist (often referred to as Rosalba), is to be offered for sale for the first time since it was painted 301 years ago. This shoulder-length depiction of Coulson Fellowes (1696-1769), MP for Huntingdonshire, has remained within the family and will now go under the hammer at Cheffins in The Fine Sale on 17th September.
The 54.5 x 41cm pastel was made in 1724 and its execution recorded in the diary of the artist when Fellowes visited her Venetian studio whilst on the Grand Tour, which he undertook between 1723 – 1725. Carriera was one of the most fashionable artists of her day and known to have created portraits of many notable figures, her sitters including Louis XV of France, Horace Walpole and Antoine Watteau.
Coulson Fellowes was the son of the barrister William Fellowes of Eggesford, Devon, and, on his father’s death in 1725 inherited Eggesford Manor. An English landowner and politician, Fellowes became the Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire, the constituency he represented between 1741 and 1761. In 1737 he acquired Ramsey Abbey and would later become one of the major donors to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, alongside Dr John Addenbrooke. The portrait was later included within the Fellowes’ family collection at Shotesham Park in Norfolk until the sale of the house and estate following the death of Major Charles Fellowes in 1979 but remained in the family, being offered for sale now for the first time since its execution.
Throughout the early 1720s, Rosalba Carriera’s popularity in England flourished as a result of numerous portraits like the present example returning with British aristocrats and members of landed families from the Grand Tour. She wrote to the French painter and director of the French Academy in Rome, Nicolas Vleughels, in 1721 that she had been ‘attaqué par des Angles’. From 1723, Carriera’s diary also records several commissions from Joseph Smith, the British Consul in Venice, who quite possibly introduced her to Fellowes in his role as a great patron of painters.
The execution of the present work followed the artist’s significant stay in Paris from 1719 to 1720, a stay which confirmed her success as a pioneering portrait painter. In Paris, Rosalba was a guest of Pierre Crozat, the King’s treasurer, and met Rigaud, Largillière, Watteau and other artists and connoisseurs, becoming greatly admired by the aristocracy and the court.
Luke Bodalbhai, paintings specialist at Cheffins comments: “This elegant study is a very fine example of the innovative portraiture of the Venetian artist, exhibiting the spontaneity, directness and intimacy which propelled Rosalba to international stardom at the beginning of the 18th century. Her close relationship with Watteau reflects Rosalba’s adoption of a typically rococo spirit, conducive to being captured in pastel, which became the key to her renown. As a pioneering female artist, Rosalba Carriera broke social norms to become one of the leading portraitists of the 18th century. The Grand Tour was a time of artistic discovery and provided a platform for European artists to illustrate their talent to the 18th century British aristocracy. This painting is fascinating in that it has been created by one of the most interesting artists of the period, but also during some of the most pivotal years for British and European art and travel. It is a pleasure to be able to offer this important work to the market for the first time, and it is likely to be of interest to not only institutions, but also collectors of 18th century portraiture, fans of Carriera and also the trade.”
Works by Rosalba Carriera are currently held in The Louvre, The National Gallery, The Frick Collection and other major galleries and institutions worldwide.
The painting carries an estimate of £15,000 - £25,000.
Auction: The Fine Sale – 17th September 2025
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk