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John Sheepshanks at his residence, This interior composition focuses on two figures: one sitting, one standing. Left of center, a gentleman wearing a dark suit and cravat sits with his feet resting on a footstool. Facing the center, his left hand points, his right turns pages of a folio. In the foreground, immediately in front of him, are several books and portfolios with loose strings lying about on the floor. A bonneted woman stands holding a teacup and napkin. She faces the gentleman, and prepares to hand him the cup and saucer. She stands silhouetted in front of a richly carved hearth. The surrounds include matching classical females who hold up the mantelpiece. Carving continues up the side pilasters to a Greek inspired pediment in whose center is a standing eagle. Books rest on the mantelpiece, with paintings on the walls in the niche behind. The left hand rear wall, at top, contains a wispy image of a reclining classical figure. Rich carved molding crowns the walls at the ceiling height. Background This commissioned portrait indicates the wealth and power of the 19th century industrialist class. Sheepshanks, a product of a wealthy Leeds family whose riches came from the cloth industry in the 18th century, was a patron and connoisseur of fine art. Moving to London, he founded a National Gallery of British Art with a gift of over 500 drawings and paintings. Mulready’s portrait is indicative of Sheepshank’s involvement in the fine arts. This painting is also an example of the wealth and taste of newly rich industrialists in the early 19th century. Surrounded by portfolios and books, Sheepshanks sits—feet resting on a footstool—as if on a throne. Attended to by his maid, his reaching hand looks to be making a benediction. Classical architectural references abound in the interior, indicating a vogue for Greek and Roman inspiration. Influenced by 18th and early 19th Century classical archeological explorations, and the recent acquisition of pediment sculptures from the Parthenon, the neoclassical style permeated contemporary tastes. The Imperial eagle is perhaps a symbol of the almost regal power of the industrialist, and overlooks the magnificence of Sheepshanks' world. The situation of a domestic servant…is attended with considerable comfort. With abundant work it combines a wonderful degree of liberty, discipline, health, physical comfort, good example, regularity, room for advancement, encouragement to acquire saving habits. The most numerous class of depositors in the Savings Banks is that of domestic servants. The situation frequently involves much responsibility, and calls forth the best features of character. Kind attachment in return for honest service is not uncommon with the master or mistress; an honest pride in the relation springs up on both sides and lasts throughout life. In the constitution of English society at the present day, three rival elements – the aristocratic, the democratic, and the plutocratic – are closely blended. The aristocratic principle is still paramount, forms the foundation of our social structure, and has been strengthened and extended in its operation by the plutocratic, while the democratic instinct of the race has all the opportunities of assertion and gratification which it can find in a career conditionally open to talents.
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